Synonyms
Acne vulgaris.
Definition
Acne is a skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicles. Hair follicles develop retention of keratin and sebum, which leads to inflammation and follicular plugging. This leads to formation of papules, comedones, cysts, pustules, and nodules. Acne most commonly affects the face and trunk of adolescents. Most patients outgrow acne after adolescence, however some patients continue to have symptoms in their twenties and thirties. There is a strong genetic predisposition in most patients. Stimulation of sebaceous glands by excessive androgens and metabolism of sebum by Proprionibacterium acnes, forming free fatty acids, may lead to development of acne.
Therapy
Pharmacological
Topical therapy with benzoyl peroxide, topical retioids, and topical antibacterials may reduce levels of Proprionibacterium acnes, and prevent new lesions from developing.
Oral antibiotics, including tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, clindamycin, and erthythromycin reduce the...
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References
Odom RB, James WD, Berger TG (eds) (2000) Acne: Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. Clinical Dermatology, 9th ed. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, pp284–93
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© 2004 Springer-Verlag
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(2004). Acne. In: Moreland, L.W. (eds) Rheumatology and Immunology Therapy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29662-X_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29662-X_23
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-20625-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29662-1
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