Acne Vulgaris

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

A common chronic skin condition involving blockage and inflammation of pilosebaceous units

Question 2

What are pilosebaceous units?

Answer 2

Hair follicles and their accompanying sebaceous glands

Question 3

What causes it?

Answer 3

Multifactorial but mainly due to genetics

Question 4

What happens? (4)

Answer 4

1. Follicular epidermal hyperproliferation with subsequent plugging of the follice
2. Excess sebum production
3. Presence and activity of commensal bacteria e.g Propionibacterium Acnes
4. Inflammation

Question 5

Signs and Symptoms (9)

Answer 5

Non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions affecting the face, neck and back, open or closed comedones, inflammatory papules and pustules, pain, erythema, depression, low self confidence, scarring

Question 6

Does it have any associations with systemic conditions?

Answer 6

Yes, it often has links to PCOS and shows acne with dysmenorrhoea and hirsutism

Question 7

Differentials

Answer 7

Gram Negative Folliculitis

Question 8

What is the treatment? (9)

Answer 8

Topical retinoids, Isotretinoin, antibiotics e.g tetracycline, Spironolactone, COCP, Benzoyl Peroxide, low glycaemic diet, manual extraction of comedones, salicylic acid peels