Acneiform and Verrucous lesions Flashcards
Acne Vulgaris
● Acne is an extremely common, usually self-limited, chronic inflammatory condition of the
pilosebaceous unit
Pathogenesis of Acne vulgaris
● The pathogenesis involves four factors:
○ Increased sebum production
○ Follicular hyperkeratinization
○ Proliferation of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)
○ Inflammation
Acne is most commonly found on areas with the _____, such as the face, back, and upper chest
greatest density of sebaceous follicles
Mild Acne treatment
○ Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% - 5% (OTC)
○ Topical Antibiotics
■ Clindamycin
■ Dapsone (Aczone)
■ Minocycline
■ To reduce antibiotic resistance, topical antibiotics are best used with benzoyl peroxide
○ Topical Retinoids
■ Adapalene (Available OTC as Differin Gel)
■ Tretinoin (0.025%-0.1% applied QHS)
■ Tazarotene (0.05%-0.1% applied QHS)
Moderate Acne treatment
○ Oral Antibiotics- Courses should be limited to 3-4 months
■ Doxycycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline
■ May consider amoxicillin if patient cannot tolerate a tetracycline
■ Isotretinoin (more on next slide)
○ Oral antibiotics should be combined with topical treatments for moderate acne
Hormonal Acne treatment
○ Topical clascoterone 1% cream (Winlevi)- an androgen receptor inhibitor
○ Oral contraceptives
○ Spironolactone- Only appropriate for use in females
■ May cause gynecomastia in men
■ Monitoring of women over 45 for hyperkalemia is recommended
Severe Acne treatment
○ Isotretinoin (Accutane) (Vitamin A derivative)
Rosacea
● Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory
condition with a relapsing-remitting course
Rosacea Pathology
○ Involves dysregulation of immune and neurocutaneous
mechanisms. These may include-
■ Cutaneous vascular changes
■ Ultraviolet (UV) exposure
■ Microbial exposure
■ Disruption of the epidermal barrier
■ Genetics
Two Subtypes of Rosacea
Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
Papulopustular Rosacea
Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
● Persistent erythema of the central
face with intermittent flushing
● Telangiectasias are present due to
persistent dilation of blood vessels
● Patients often mention stinging or
burning sensations on the skin
● Most common subtype
Papulopustular Rosacea
● Presence of acneiform papules and
pustules
● Variable intensity of central facial
erythema
● Sparing of the periocular areas
Management of Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
● Avoid known triggers, including spicy
foods, alcohol, chocolate, stress, hot
beverages, extremes of temperature
● Use broad-spectrum sunscreens
● Mirvaso (brimonidine gel)
● Rhofade (oxymetazoline cream)
● Pulsed dye laser
Management of Papulopustular Rosacea
● Topical metronidazole
● Azelaic acid gel
● Erythromycin or clindamycin lotion
● Ivermectin cream (Soolantra)
● Low dose doxycycline
● Isotretinoin
● Topical medications are significantly more
effective in the treatment of
papulopustular rosacea
Perioral Dermatitis etiology
○ Exacerbated by external factors (irritants and topical
steroids) that break down the skin’s protective barrier
○ Oral contraceptives, inhalers, and fluoride have also been
implicated in perioral dermatitis
○ Masks
Perioral Dermatitis presentation
○ Multiple small (1-2mm), clustered inflammatory papules with
or without scale around the mouth, nose, or eyes
○ Often resembles acne or rosacea
○ Usually spares a narrow area around the vermilion border of
the lip
○ May be accompanied by stinging or burning sensations
Perioral Dermatitis diagnosis
● Diagnosis is usually clinical based on presentation and history
○ Spares the skin around the vermilion border of the lip
○ Coexisting features of eczema
○ Burning/stinging sensation
○ Recent topical, nasal, or inhaled corticosteroid use
○ History of flares after corticosteroid withdrawal
○ Absence of comedones (if comedones are present, think acne)
Perioral Dermatitis treatment
○ Treatment: Discontinue topical corticosteroids, avoid topical products that may exacerbate
condition
○ Mild PD (small area of involvement without much emotional distress)- try for 8 weeks
■ Topical erythromycin gel (improvement in 4-8 weeks)
■ Topical metronidazole gel for at least 8 weeks
■ Topical Calcineurin inhibitors
● Pimecrolimus 1% cream, tacrolimus 0.1% ointment
○ Moderate to Severe PD (or treatment resistant PD with topicals)- try for 8 weeks
■ 1st line: Oral tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline)
● Best results seen with concurrent use of Pimecrolimus
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
● Is a chronic destructive inflammatory disorder of the follicular epithelium in apocrine gland-bearing regions
○ Follicular occlusion leads to trapping of follicular contents, rupture, and inflammation of the dermis, with bacterial superinfection in
some cases
Hidradenitis Suppurativa RFs
○ Genetics
○ Friction/pressure on intertriginous skin and other areas (beltlines,
bra straps, etc)
○ Obesity
○ Smoking
○ Hormones (rare before puberty, can flare during pregnancy)
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Presenting Features
○ The primary lesions are inflammatory nodules, often in the intertriginous area.
○ Can be insidious starting with occasional solitary painful nodules that can last days to months.
○ The nodules often progress to form an abscess that may open to the skin surface spontaneously
with drainage.
○ Sinus tracts are a typical findings.
○ Comedones appear in chronic HS
○ Scarring is common. May be atrophic or keloidal.
○ This is usually a chronic condition
Hidradenitis Suppurativa staging
○ Stage 1 (most common): abscess formation (single or multiple) without sinus tracts
○ Stage 2: Recurrent abscesses with sinus tracts and scarring
○ Stage 3: Diffuse or almost diffuse involvement with multiple interconnected sinus tracts
Hidradenitis Suppurativa treatment
■ Weight loss- reduction of sugar intake
■ Topical clindamycin (only used with Stage 1 or mild disease)
■ Oral tetracyclines (ie Doxycycline 100mg BID)
■ Antiandrogenic drugs (spironolactone) and metformin
■ Humira (Adalimumab)
○ Acute lesions:
■ Intralesional corticosteroids
■ I&D
Skin Tag (Acrochordon) presentation
Pedunculated lesions on narrow stalks