PMC - Acne

Question 1

1) Acne is caused by excessive production of what?
2) How does this lead to acne?
3) It is thought that excessive growth of what bacteria can exacerbate acne?

Answer 1

1) Sebum
2) Increased sebum traps keratin (dead skin cells) which blocks the pilosebaceous units (dimples in the skin that contain the hair follicles and sebaceous glands) which causes them to become inflamed
3) Propionibacterium

Question 2

Name a 1st line treatment option for acne

Answer 2

• Topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide
• Topical tretinoin with topical clindamycin
• Topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin
• Oral antibiotics i.e lymecycline or doxycycline with topicals

Question 3

Name another option for the management of acne

Answer 3

• COCP
• Topical or oral (severe cases) retinoids i.e. isotretinoin