Acne Vulgaris: Basic Dermatology Curriculum
Acne Vulgaris: Basic Dermatology Curriculum
Module Instructions
The following module contains a number of blue,
underlined terms which are hyperlinked to the
dermatology glossary, an illustrated interactive guide to
clinical dermatology and dermatopathology.
We encourage the learner to read all the hyperlinked
information.
Morphology
Acne begins with clogged pores (pore = pilosebaceous
unit), aka comedones
Case One
Jim Reynolds
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Acne-Related Changes
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Topical Retinoids
(tretinoin, all trans retinoic acid)
Mechanism:
Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that act by
normalizing the desquamation of follicular epithelium to
prevent formation of new comedones and promote the
clearing of existing comedones
Common Adverse Effects:
Dryness, pruritus, erythema, scaling, photosensitivity
Available forms:
Tretinoin, Adapalene, Tazarotene
Cream, gel, lotion, solution
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Topical Retinoids
(tretinoin, all trans retinoic acid)
Additional considerations:
Use sunscreen and protective clothing to reduce photosensitivity
Do not apply at the same time as benzoyl peroxide because
benzoyl peroxide oxidizes tretinoin
Tretinoin and Adapalene are FDA Pregnancy Category C; other
agents are preferred for treatment of acne in pregnancy
Tazarotene is Category X and contraindicated in pregnancy
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Benzoyl Peroxide
Mechanism:
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medication with both antibacterial and
comedolytic properties
Acts via the generation of free radicals that oxidize proteins in the P
acnes cell wall
Available forms:
Available as a prescription and over-the-counter, as well as in
combinations with topical antibiotics
Cream, lotion, gel, or wash
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Topical Antibiotics
Mechanism
Reduce the number of P. acnes and reduce inflammation in
inflammatory acne
Available forms:
Erythromycin 2% (solution, gel)
Clindamycin 1% (lotion, solution, gel, foam)
Common Adverse Effects:
Topical acne treatments are often irritating and can cause dry skin
When using retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, consider beginning on
alternate days
Use a moisturizer to reduce their irritancy
Additional considerations:
Often used with benzoyl peroxide (versus monotherapy) to prevent
the development of antibiotic resistance in the treatment of mild-tomoderate acne
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Acne Treatment:
Patient education
Patient education and setting expectations are important
components of effective acne treatment
Physician and patient should develop a therapeutic regimen
with the highest likelihood of adherence
Acne treatment targets new lesions, not present ones
Lack of adherence is the most common cause of treatment
failure
Patients will often stop their topical treatments too early without
improvement in their acne
Topical agents take 2-3 months to see effect
Therapy should be continued for at least 8 weeks before a
treatment response can be accurately evaluated
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Acne Treatment:
Patient education
Many patients can be non-adherent to topical treatments due to
adverse effects including skin dryness, peeling, redness,
itching, burning, and stinging
Acne-affected skin can be deficient in ceramides, which play an
important role in maintaining the skin barrier and preserving its ability to
prevent moisture loss
Daily use of ceramide-containing moisturizers may improve skin
dryness and irritation by repairing and maintaining the skin barrier,
leading to improved adherence
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Acne Treatment:
Patient education
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Case Two
Ryan Townsend
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Oral Antibiotics
Mechanism:
Reduce P. acnes colonization of the skin and follicles
Applications:
Moderate to severe inflammatory acne
Available forms:
Tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, among others
Often combined with benzoyl peroxide to prevent antibiotic resistance
Adverse effects:
GI upset (epigastric burning, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur)
Photosensitivity (patients may burn easier, which can be easily
managed with better sun protection)
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Oral Tetracyclines:
Patient Counseling
Additional considerations:
If the patient has not responded after 3 months of therapy with an oral
antibiotic, consider:
Increasing the dose (if not at max dose)
Changing the treatment, or
Referring to a dermatologist
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Minocycline pigmentation
Timing:
Distribution:
Morphology:
Additional Considerations:
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Oral Isotretinoin
Mechanism:
Oral isotretinoin is a retinoic acid derivative that targets all four of the
pathophysiologic factors involved in acne
Applications:
Severe, nodulocystic acne failing other therapies
Typically given in a single 5-6 month course
Common Adverse Effects:
Xerosis (dry skin), cheilitis (chapped lips), elevated liver enzymes,
hypertriglyceridemia
Additional Considerations:
Isotretinoin is teratogenic and therefore absolutely contraindicated in
pregnancy
Female patients must be enrolled in a FDA-mandated iPLEDGE
prescribing program in order to use this medication
Female patients must use two forms of contraception during isotretinoin
therapy and for one month after treatment has ended
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Management
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Mini Case
Billy
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[ ] Breast Development
[ ] Craniofacial deformities
[ ] Facial Hair
[ ] Fever
[ ] Food Allergies
[ ] Itching
[ ] Increased Muscle Mass
[ ] Pubic Hair
[ ] Testicular Growth
[ ] Wheezing
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[ ] Itching
[x] Increased Muscle Mass
[x] Pubic Hair
[x] Testicular Growth
[ ] Wheezing
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Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel 0.1%/2.5% is FDA approved for children 9
and older
Tretinoin 0.05% gel is FDA approved from children 10 and older
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Case Three
Ms. Emily Garcia
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Androgens in Acne
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Oral contraceptives
Mechanism: suppress LH production, increase sex hormone binding
globulin, inhibit 5-alpha reductase, block androgen receptor
Available forms: Yaz, Ortho Tri-cyclen, Estrostep are FDA approved for
treatment of acne
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, abnormal menses, weight gain, breast
tenderness, increased risk of thromboembolism
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Acne Rosacea
Acne Rosacea may look very similar to Acne vulgaris, however,
it can be differentiated by an absence of comedones
Morphology:
May present with easy flushing, erythema,
telangiectasias, papules and pustules, and/or
phymatous changes
Triggers:
Alcohol, sunlight, hot beverages (heat), spicy food,
emotional stress
Unlike acne vulgaris, it is not related to hormones
Additional Considerations:
Many patients with rosacea have ocular involvement
Treatment:
Topical and oral treatments often improve the papules
and pustules of rosacea, but will not reverse the
underlying erythema and flushing
All patients with rosacea should use sunscreen and
avoid known triggers
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Periorificial Dermatitis
Periorificial dermatitis, also known as perioral dermatitis, is
another acneiform eruption that can be differentiated from
acne vulgaris by an absence of comedones
Morphology:
Erythematous papules and pustules with scaling
Usually located around the mouth, nose, and eyes
(occasionally involves the chin, cheek, or forehead)
Clinical features:
Treatment:
Gradually taper use of topical steroids
Systemic treatments: oral tetracycline for patients
8 years and oral erythromycin for patients < 8 years
Topical treatments: metronidazole, erythromycin,
and pimecrolimus
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Management
Mild Acne
Moderate Acne
Severe Acne
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Acknowledgements
This module was developed by the American Academy
of Dermatology Medical Student Core Curriculum
Workgroup from 2008-2012.
Primary authors: Sarah D. Cipriano, MD, MPH; Eric
Meinhardt, MD; Timothy G. Berger, MD, FAAD; Kanade
Shinkai, MD, PhD, FAAD.
Peer reviewers: Rebecca B. Luria, MD, FAAD; Cory A.
Dunnick, MD, FAAD; Renee Howard, MD, FAAD;
Rachel Kornik, MD, FAAD.
Revisions and editing: Sarah D. Cipriano, MD, MPH;
John Trinidad, Erin Mathes, MD; Matthew Dizon. Last
revised October 2014.
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