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acne vulgaris

Acne Vulgaris: 2023 Update

Teaser: 

Amir Gohari1 Joseph M. Lam, MD, FRCPC,2

1 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
2Department of Pediatrics, Department of Dermatology and Skin Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Acne vulgaris is a chronic pilosebaceous inflammatory disorder that affects almost 85% of those aged 12 to 24 years. Its pathophysiology is an interplay between androgenic activity, follicular epidermal hyperproliferation, retention hyperkeratosis, and Cutibacterium acnes infection. Strong evidence exists for high glycemic index diet as a trigger. Diagnosis is clinical and management is based on lesion types, with options including retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and spironolactone.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, inflammatory disorder, comedones, Cutibacterium acnes.
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition observed in adolescent and pre-adolescent patients and has a significant psychological burden.
The plugged follicles of acne allow for Cutibacterium acnes overgrowth which triggers the release of heat shock proteins, porphyrin, proteases, and squalene peroxides, leading to inflammation.
Topical retinoids are used for open and closed comedones, while topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide are used for inflammatory lesions. Oral antibiotics are added for moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Hormonal therapy and isotretinoin are used to target the excess sebum production.
Acne may reflect an underlying disease. Patients that present before 7 years of age may have an underlying endocrinopathy. For women with acne, the possibility of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) should be addressed.
Acne lesions can be non-inflammatory, in the form of open or closed comedones, and/or inflammatory, in the form of papules, pustules, and nodules. Treatment should be targeted to the type of acne the patient presents with.
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Related Terms: Dermatology, acne vulgaris, inflammatory disorder, comedones, Cutibacterium acnes
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Clearing Up Acne Treatment for the Primary Care Physician

Teaser: 

Darcy Russell,1 Joseph M. Lam, MD, FRCPC,2

1Medical Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
2Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology, University of British Columbia, BC.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition encountered in family practice and can cause significant distress during adolescence. Treatment options discussed include topical benzyl peroxide, topical retinoids, oral and topical antibiotics, hormonal therapy, and isotretinoin. The following review article provides up-to-date recommendations for treating mild to severe pediatric acne.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, adolescence, treatment, pathogenesis.
The differential diagnosis for acne in adolescence includes corticosteroid induced acne, folliculitis, keratosis pilaris, papular sarcoidosis, perioral dermatitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea faceie.
Acne may be classified as mild, moderate or severe based on the number and type of lesions involved as well as the total surface area involved.
Acne therapy is targeted at treating as many pathogenic factors as possible.
Topical fixed-dose combination therapies can be used for all types and severities of acne in children 9 years of age and older.
Both topical and oral antibiotics work by inhibiting P acnes protein synthesis and decreasing inflammation.
Do not be afraid of isotretinoin. It can be used first line in patients with severe nodular and/or inflammatory acne, acne conglobata, and recalcitrant acne.12 It is the only treatment that targets all four pathogenic factors implicated in acne vulgaris and can permanently decrease acne.
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Related Terms: Dermatology, acne vulgaris, treatment, pathogenesis
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Adjunctive Skincare for Acne

Adjunctive Skincare for Acne

Teaser: 

Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FAAD,

Director of Continuing Medical Education, Clinical Instructor, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: While topical therapy remains a key therapeutic approach in the clinical management of AV, it can be associated with side effects that may compromise the stratum corneum and impair patient adherence. The use of adjunctive cleansers and moisturizers can help mitigate treatment side effects and subsequently enhance therapeutic efficacy. Providing patient-specific skin care recommendations, including product selection and proper use, is an important part of the clinical management of AV and may adjunctively augment the efficacy of topical medications in reducing acne lesions.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, adherence, cleansers, moisturizers.
Irritation resulting from topical medications and the emergence of bacterial resistance to both topical and oral antibiotics remain significant barriers to good treatment adherence.
Providing patient-specific skin care recommendations, including product selection and proper use, is an important part of the clinical management of AV and may adjunctively augment the efficacy of topical medications in reducing acne lesions.
Alleviating dryness and improving skin comfort by using a moisturizer concomitantly with retinoid therapy could enhance treatment efficacy.
The adjunctive use of appropriate gentle soap-free cleansers and non-comedogenic moisturizers that also restore SC barrier function, provide SPF protection, and reduce side effects of topical acne therapy is recommended and is preferred by patients and will likely improve treatment adherence.
Topical dapsone gel is antimicrobial and antineutrophilic and new fixed-dose retinoid-based combination therapies are available and this allows us to improve adherence with therapy and target multiple pathogenic mechanisms with one treatment.
Oleosome technology enables the delivery of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection (SPF 30). This technology effectively reduces the concentration of filters being applied to the skin, reducing the potential for skin sensitivity reactions.
To have access to full article that these tools were developed for, please subscribe. The cost to subscribe is $80 USD per year and you will gain full access to all the premium content on www.healthplexus.net, an educational portal, that hosts 1000s of clinical reviews, case studies, educational visual aids and more as well as within the mobile app.
Related Terms: Dermatology, Acne Vulgaris, acne vulgaris, adherence, cleansers, moisturisers

Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne

Prescribing Antibiotics to Patients with Acne

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.

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Teaser: 

Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Continuing Medical Education, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Abstract
The pathogenesis of acne is tied to Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), an anaerobic bacteria. There has been a dramatic rise in resistance to antibiotics that are usually prescribed to treat acne. Given resistance to antibiotic therapy can occur in more pathogenic bacteria than P. acnes, and the fact that a rise in pathogenic P. acnes has been reported, the development of antibiotic resistance in acne is a public health matter globally. Clinical practice guidelines are aiming to curb the further development of antibiotic resistance without detracting from effective management of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
Key Words: acne vulgaris, antibiotic resistance, benzoyl peroxide, anti-inflammatory, sub-antimicrobial dosing.

Related Terms: Dermatology, Acne Vulgaris, antibiotic resistance, acne vulgaris, benzoyl peroxide, anti-inflammatory, sub-antimicrobial dosing