ACNE

See also

Dry/scaly - Skin/Scalp

Notes

• Commonest skin disease of adolescence. Often accompanied by greasiness of skin. Associated with milium "white head" and open comedo "black head".

Danger signs

• Cystic Acne - cyst formation can lead to disfiguring scars - Contact GP for antibiotic therapy.
• Atopic scars and excoriations: irregularities of dermal thickness and pigmentation - Contact GP.
• Superactive/highly inflamed acne and pyrexia. Contact GP urgently.

Notes for children

• Usually presents in the few years before the menarche.

Notes for the elderly

• Not seen in this age group.

General advice

• Some patients are helped by sunlight. Antiseptics/degreasing agents may help mild disease. "Unplugging" agents, benzoyl peroxide, is the commonest used. NB exposure often initially burns. But longer exposure and higher concentrations can usually be used with time.
  (Additional advice - benzoyl peroxide is a mild bleaching agent. Advise care with contact with coloured materials such as duvets etc.)

Therapy

• Benzoyl peroxide in increasing concentrations.
• Antiseptics/Degreasing Agents.
• Sulphar containing products. May help pustules - cause bleeding.
• Abrading agents, for pitted skin.

Dictionary

Abrade: rub or wear away by friction
Atopic: relating to or marked by atopy.
Atopy:type I allergic reaction, one with strong familial tendencies caused by allergens such as pollens, foods venoms.
Comedo: plug of sebaceous matter capped with a blackened mass of epitheral debris.
Excoriation: a scratch mark, linear break in the skin surface.
Menarche:the establishment of the menstrual function, the time of the first menstrual period flow.
Milium: whitehead, a small subepidermal keratin cyst.
Pustule: a small circumscribed elevation of the skin, containing purulent material.
Pyrexia: fever

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