Acne Flashcards
What is acne?
An inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicle
How common is acne?
Over 80% of teenagers are affected by it.
What is the pathophysiology of acne?
Androgen conversion in puberty stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce sebum, which then blocks the glands.
There is inflammation and some secondary bacterial infection of the glands.
Does FHx have an impact on acne?
Yes - positive FHx increases risk of having it, and it being earlier in presentation and more severe.
Does acne affect girls and boys equally?
No, M>F.
When might a girl have a flare-up of acne?
When they are premenstrual.
With which gynaecological/endocrine condition is acne associated?
PCOS
How does acne present on the skin?
Greasy skin
Comedones
Papules
Pustules
When does acne present?
Usually at or just after start of puberty
Which areas of the body are affected by acne the most?
Face = 99% of cases
Back 60%
Chest 15%
What is severe acne with cysts called?
Nodulocystic acne
Which form of acne presents later in life?
Acne rosacea
A teenager presents to the GP quite distressed because of a recent onset of greasy skin with blackheads and pustules on the face and back.
Other than acne vulgaris, form a list of differentials.
Acne rosacea (middle/later life)
Folliculitis and boils
Milia (look similar to whiteheads)
Perioral dermatitis
Are any investigatons usually performed to investigate acne vulgaris?
No, not in a typical case.
What special circumstances might warrant further investigation into acne?
If there might be an underlying cause e.g. if an older pt develops acne they may have PCOS, virilising tumour etc.
If lesions look infected and treatment is needed.
