Acne Vulgaris Flashcards
What is acne?
Blockage of the pilosebaceous units which causes the skin to become dry
Who gets acne? And why?
Adolescents
- increased androgen production at puberty
Pathogenesis
Increased androgens produced which inrease sebum production
Sebum blocks pilosebaceous units
Sebum and keratin build up to form blackheads and whiteheads
These rupture to cause acute inflammation
Commonly affected sites
Face
Back
Anterior chest
Morphology
Open comedones - blackheads Closed comedones - whiteheads Pustules Papules Cysts Erythema
Clinical presentation
Greasy skin
Scarring
Mild acne
Scattered papules and pustules
Comedones
Moderate acne
Numerous papules and pustules
Mild scarring
Severe acne
Cysts, nodules
Severe scarring
Management (Mild)
Topical Keratolytics - benzoyl peroxide
Topical retannoids - tretinoin
Topical antibiotics - clindamycin, erythromycin
Oral antibiotics - oxytetracycline
Management (Moderate/Severe)
Oral retinoid - isotretinoin
Mechanism of action of isotretinoin
Dry’s up the skin and unblocks the pores
May initially worsen acne
Do not give if pregnant - congenital defects
Only administered in hospital
