WHAT IS ACNE AND ITS TREATMENT ?

CONTENTS 

1. WHAT IS ACNE?

2. HOW DO ACNE PRESENTS?

3. WHAT ARE COMMON LOCATIONS FOR ACNE?

4. TREATMENT FOR ACNE 

4.1- MILD TO MODERATE 

4.2- MODERATE TO SEVERE

4.3- VERY SEVERE ACNE

5.KNOW WHEN YOU NEED TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN?

1. WHAT IS ACNE?

Acne or acne vulgaris is a self-limited disorder primarily of teenagers and young adults. It occurs due to an increase in the sebum production by sebaceous glands after puberty, forming small cyst or comedones. Bacteria release fatty acid from the sebum and cause inflammation in the cyst.

2. HOW DO ACNE PRESENTS?

Therapeutically it presents as whitehead (closed comedones) or blackhead (open comedones).

Whitehead appears as 1-2 mm white papules, which are a precursor to inflammatory lesions.

Blackheads rarely cause ulcers and are filled with dark oily debris.

These ACNE sores are usually associated with the following :

1. Papule: small OR hard.

2. Pustule: leukocytes filled vesicle.

3. Nodule: a large lesion (0.5-5 cm) raised above the surrounding skin.

3. COMMON LOCATION OF ACNE 

Most commonly occur on the face, but the involvement of the chest and back is also common.

4. TREATMENT OF ACNE 

4.1-MILD TO MODERATE DISEASE 

A. SKIN should be kept clean.

B. Avoid vigorous scrubbing.

C. Topical agents:

1. Benzoyl peroxide: start with once a day followed by 2-3 times a day as directed by the physician. After its application, apply sunscreen if you are going out. Benzoyl peroxide comes in various forms such as gel, cream, lotion, cleanser and face wash.


2. Salicylic acid: hydrate skin before application

3. Retinoids: apply on the clean skin in the evening in the concentration ranging from .005-0.1%

Topical antibiotics such as azelaic acid, erythromycin or clindamycin are also useful adjunct therapy.

4.2-Moderate to severe acne 

Such patients benefit from the addition of systemic therapy such as
Tetracycline - 250-500mg twice a day or
Doxycycline  -100 mg twice a day.

Female who do not respond to antibiotic therapy might need hormonal therapy such as oral contraceptives.

4.3-VERY SEVERE ACNE 

A patient who does not respond to the above-mentioned drugs may benefit from isotretinoin. Its volume is based on the patient's weight. It is given once daily for 5 months. It would be best if you used it with caution because it is teratogenic and promotes dehydrated skin.

5. WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN?

If self-care remedies do not eliminate your acne, see your primary care physician. They can prescribe stronger drugs. If the acne persists or worsens, you may want to seek treatment from a dermatologist (OR EVEN a pediatric dermatologist ).

For many women, acne can last for decades, with normal flares a week before menstruation. This type of acne tends to clear out without treatment for women who use contraceptives.

In older adults, the sudden onset of a severe rash may indicate a basic disease that needs treatment.