Acne Vulgaris Questions & Answers

Updated: Aug 27, 2020
  • Author: Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is acne vulgaris?

What causes acne vulgaris?

How is acne vulgaris characterized?

What are the systemic symptoms of acne vulgaris?

How are the physical exam findings of acne vulgaris characterized?

When is lab testing indicated in the workup of acne vulgaris?

How is the treatment of acne vulgaris directed?

Which medications are used in the treatment of Cutibacterium acne vulgaris?

Which medications are used in conjunction with antibiotics in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What dietary recommendations are indicated in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What are the procedural treatments for acne vulgaris?

What are the manifestations of acne vulgaris?

How common is acne vulgaris?

What is the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris?

What is the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of C acnes in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of excess sebum in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of mediators and receptors in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the main cause of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of cosmetics and hair pomades in the etiology of acne vulgaris?

Which medications are associated with development of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of endocrine disorders in the etiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of mechanical occlusion in the etiology of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of sunlight in the etiology of acne vulgaris?

How common is acne vulgaris in the US?

What is the international prevalence of acne vulgaris?

What are the race-related demographics of acne vulgaris?

Is acne vulgaris more common in men or women?

How is acne vulgaris characterized in neonates?

When does adolescent acne vulgaris usually begin?

How common is acne vulgaris in adults?

What are the long-term effects of acne vulgaris?

What is the relationship between the acne vulgaris and prostate cancer?

What is the prognosis of acne vulgaris?

What education should be provided to patients with acne vulgaris?

Presentation

What are the local symptoms of acne vulgaris?

What are the systemic symptoms of acne vulgaris?

How is the presentation of acne vulgaris associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) characterized?

What are the considerations of the psychological impact of acne vulgaris?

What are the characteristics of acne vulgaris?

How is comedonal acne vulgaris characterized?

How is mild acne vulgaris characterized?

How is moderate acne vulgaris characterized?

How is nodulocystic acne vulgaris characterized?

How is acne vulgaris characterized in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Acne Vulgaris?

Workup

Which lab studies are used in the workup of acne vulgaris?

Which lab studies are used to exclude gram-negative folliculitis in the workup of acne vulgaris?

What are the histologic findings of acne vulgaris?

Treatment

How is the medical treatment of acne vulgaris directed?

What is the first-line treatment for acne vulgaris?

What is the role of topical retinoids in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the best topical retinoid for acne vulgaris?

What is the role of topical antibiotics in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What are the considerations of antibiotic resistance in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

How is benzoyl peroxide used to treat acne vulgaris?

What is the role of androgen receptor antagonists in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

How are systemic oral antibiotics used to treat acne vulgaris?

What are the considerations of oral antibiotic resistance in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

How is subantimicrobial therapy used to treat acne vulgaris?

What are the complications of oral antibiotics in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What are the concerns of antibiotic-resistance in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What other oral antibiotics are used to treat acne vulgaris?

What is the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of spironolactone in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of isotretinoin in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the dosing schedule for isotretinoin in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

Can isotretinoin be used for the treatment of acne vulgaris in pregnant patients?

Are mood changes and depression complications of isotretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What are the GI complications of isotretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris?

How does isotretinoin used in the treatment of acne vulgaris affect healing?

What is the role of intralesional steroid injections and comedone removal in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of laser and light therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

How are dermal fillers used to treat scarring associated with acne vulgaris?

Which specialist consultations are indicated in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What dietary restrictions are recommended in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What is the role of a low-glycemic diet in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What monitoring is indicated for patients with acne vulgaris being treated with spironolactone?

Guidelines

What are the AAD guidelines on the treatment of acne vulgaris?

Is microbiologic testing indicated in the evaluation and management of acne vulgaris?

What are the Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of acne vulgaris?

What are the recommendations for treating adolescent, preadolescent, infant, and neonatal acne vulgaris?

Are over-the-counter (OTC) acne vulgaris medications safe?

Medications

Which medications are used to treat acne vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Aldosterone Antagonists, Selective are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Estrogens/Progestins are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Retinoid-like Agents are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Products are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Androgen Receptor Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris?