Acne and Rosacea

1. Acne and Rosacea Medical Student Core Curriculum in Dermatology Last updated June 8, 2011

2. 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.

3. Goals and Objectives • The purpose of this module is to help medical students develop a clinical approach to the evaluation and initial management of patients presenting with acne and rosacea. • By completing this module, the learner will be able to: • Identify and describe the morphology of acne and rosacea • List common triggers for intermittent flushing in rosacea • Explain the basic principles of treatment for acne and rosacea • Recommend an initial treatment plan for a patient presenting with comedonal and/or inflammatory acne • Practice providing patient education on topical and systemic acne treatment • Determine when to refer a patient with acne or rosacea to a dermatologist

4. Acne Vulgaris: Epidemiology • Acne vulgaris, often referred to as “acne”, is a disorder of pilosebaceous follicles • Typically presents at ages 8-12 (often the first sign of puberty), peaks at ages 15-18, and resolves by age 25 • Affects 90% of adolescents and affects races equally • Family history is often positive • 12% of women and 3% of men will have acne until their 40s • In women it is not uncommon to have a first outbreak at 20-35 years of age

5. Acne Vulgaris: Clinical Presentation • Acne affects mainly the face, neck, upper trunk and upper arms (where sebaceous glands are abundant) • Acne begins with “clogged pores” (pores = pilosebaceous unit), aka comedones • Open comedones = “blackheads” • Closed comedones = “whiteheads” • Debris and bacteria collect in these clogged pores which then leads to inflammation: papules and pustules with erythema and edema • These pressurized follicles can rupture in the dermis, resulting in tender deep nodulocystic acne

6. Case One Jim Reynolds

7. Case One: History • HPI: Jim Reynolds is an 17-year-old healthy teenager who presents to his primary care physician with “pimples” on his face for the last 2 years. He reports a daily skin regimen of aggressive facial cleansing with a bar soap during his morning shower. • PMH: no chronic illnesses or prior hospitalizations • Allergies: no known allergies • Medications: none • Family history: father and mother had acne as teenagers • Social history: lives at home with parents, attends high school • ROS: negative

8. Skin Exam Findings • Exam of left cheek: numerous pustules, papules, open and closed comedones with some scarring Open comedo Closed comedo Pustule Inflamed papule Scarring

9. Classification of Acne Vulgaris • Classification of acne is based on the morphology • Comedonal: open and closed comedones • Inflammatory: papules and pustules • Nodulocystic: nodules and cysts • It is equally important to describe the severity (each type can be mild to severe depending on the amount of acne) and note the presence of scarring for each patient

10. Case One, Question 1 • How would you describe Jim’s skin exam? • Mild comedonal acne without presence of scarring • Mild inflammatory acne without comedones • Moderate mixed comedonal and inflammatory acne with presence of scarring • Moderate mixed comedonal and inflammatory acne without presence of scarring

11. Case One, Question 1 Answer: c • How would you describe Jim’s skin exam? • Mild comedonal acne without presence of scarring • Mild inflammatory acne without comedones • Moderate mixed comedonal and inflammatory acne with presence of scarring • Moderate mixed comedonal and inflammatory acne without presence of scarring

12. How Would You Describe the Following Patients’ Acne? Remember for each patient to include the morphology, severity and presence of scarring

13. Acne Vulgaris

14. Acne Vulgaris • Moderate comedonal acne without evidence of scarring. • Note the mild post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

15. Acne Vulgaris

16. Acne Vulgaris • Severe nodulocystic acne with presence of scarring

17. Case One, Question 2 • Which is (are) related to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris? • Androgens in the circulation • Bacteria in the hair follicle • Follicular plugging • Sebum secretion • All of the above

18. Case One, Question 2 Answer: e • Which is (are) related to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris? • Androgens in the circulation • Bacteria in the hair follicle • Follicular plugging • Sebum secretion • All of the above

19. Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis • Acne Vulgaris is related to 4 factors: • Presence of hormones (androgens) • Sebaceous gland activity (increased in presence of androgens) • Plugging of the hair follicle as a result of abnormal keratinization of the upper portion (gives rise to comedones) • P. acnes (bacteria) in the hair follicle (lives on the oil and breaks it down to free fatty acids which cause inflammation)

20. Case One, Question 3 • Which of the following agents are effective in treating acne vulgaris? • Oral antibiotics • Topical benzoyl peroxide • Topical retinoid creams • All of the above

21. Case One, Question 3 Answer: d • Which of the following agents are effective in treating acne vulgaris? • Oral antibiotics • Topical benzoyl peroxide • Topical retinoid creams • All of the above

22. Treatment: Basic Principles • Systemic and topical retinoids, systemic and topical antimicrobials, and systemic hormonal therapies are the main classes of treatment • Multiple agents are often used with activity against different pathogenic causes (e.g. topical antibiotic plus retinoid) • Use topical antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance • Acne scarring is difficult to treat, therefore aggressive prevention is important

23. Acne Scarring • Acne should be treated aggressively to avoid permanent scarring and cysts • Refer patients with difficult to control acne or the presence of scarring to dermatology

24. Common First-Line Treatments • Mild comedonal: topical retinoid, +/- topical benzoyl peroxide • Mild papular/pustular: topical retinoid, topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin), topical benzoyl peroxide • Moderate papular/pustular: oral antibiotics with topical retinoid and benzoyl peroxide

25. Common First-Line Treatments • Moderate nodular without scarring: oral antibiotic with topical retinoid and topical benzoyl peroxide • Severe nodular: refer to a dermatologist for oral isotretinoin • Scarring and keloids: refer to a dermatologist for oral isotretinoin

26. Topical Retinoids (tretinoin, all trans retinoic acid) • Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives • Used for acne vulgaris; photodamaged skin; fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation • Patients should be warned of common adverse effects: • Dryness, pruritus, erythema, scaling • Photosensitivity • Available as a cream or gel • Do not apply at the same time as benzoyl peroxide because benzoyl peroxide oxidizes tretinoin

27. Benzoyl Peroxide • Benzoyl peroxide is a topical medication with both antibacterial and comedolytic properties • Available as a prescription and over-the-counter, as well as in combinations with topical antibiotics • Patients should be warned of common adverse effects: • Bleaching of hair, colored fabric, or carpet • May irritate skin; discontinue if severe • Available as a cream, lotion, gel, or wash

28. Topical Antibiotics • Used to reduce the number of P. acnes and reduce inflammation in inflammatory acne • Do not use as monotherapy (often used with benzoyl peroxide to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne and rosacea) • Erythromycin 2% (solution, gel) • Clindamycin 1% (lotion, solution, gel, foam) • Metronidazole 0.75%, 1% (cream, gel) is used in the treatment of rosacea

29. Topical Acne Treatment: Side 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. • Topical agents take 2-3 months to see effect • Patients will often stop their topical treatment too early from “red, flakey” skin without improvement in their acne • Patient education is a crucial component to acne treatment

30. Oral Antibiotics • Tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline • Use for moderate to severe inflammatory acne • Often combined with benzoyl peroxide to prevent antibiotic resistance • If the patient has not responded after 3 months of therapy with an oral antibiotic, consider: • Increasing the dose, • Changing the treatment, or • Referring to a dermatologist

31. Oral Treatment: Side Effects • Tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline): • Are contraindicated in pregnancy and in children <8 years old • May cause GI upset (epigastric burning, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur) • Can cause photosensitivity (patients may burn easier, which can be easily managed with better sun protection). Recommend sun block with UVA coverage for all acne patients on tetracyclines

32. Oral Tetracyclines: Patient Counseling • Major side effects: • Tetracycline: GI upset, photosensitivity • Doxycycline: GI upset, photosensitivity • Minocycline: GI upset, vertigo, hyperpigmentation • Patients need clear instructions • If taking for acne, it is okay to take them with food and dairy products for tolerability of GI side effects • Take with full glass of water; avoids esophageal erosions • Tetracyclines do NOT interfere with birth control pills • It takes 2-3 months to see improvement

33. Minocycline pigmentation • Pigmentation appears after months to years in a small percentage of patients • First noticeable on the alveolar ridge, palate, sclera • Skin deposition can be brown or blue-grey.Blue-grey pigmentation may occur in scars • Skin pigmentation may not fade after discontinuation • Patients on long-term minocycline should be screened; if seen on gums or sclerae, discontinue

34. Oral Isotretinoin • Oral isotretinoin, a retinoic acid derivative, is indicated in severe, nodulocystic acne failing other therapies • Should be prescribed by physicians with experience using this medication • Typically given in a single 5-6 month course • Isotretinoin is teratogenic and therefore absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy • Female patients must be enrolled in a FDA-mandated prescribing program in order to use this medication • Two forms of contraception must be used during isotretinoin therapy and for one month after treatment has ended

35. Isotretinoin: Side Effects • Common side effects of isotretinoin include: • Xerosis (dry skin) • Cheilitis (chapped lips) • Elevated liver enzymes • Hypertriglyceridemia • Individuals with severe acne may suffer mood changes and depression and should be monitored • Severe headache can be a manifestation of the uncommon side effect pseudotumor cerebri

36. Back to Case One Follow-up: Jim has called the after-hours answering service very concerned about a new symptom of “dizziness”, which began after he started his new medication.

37. Case One, Question 4 • Which of the following treatment regimens was most likely prescribed for Jim’s acne? • Isotretinoin 1mg/kg/day divided BID • Minocycline 100mg po BID • Tetracycline 500mg po once daily • None of the above

38. Case One, Question 4 Answer: b • Which of the following treatment regimens was prescribed for Jim’s acne? • Isotretinoin 1mg/kg/day divided BID (main side effects include xerosis, cheilitis, elevated liver enzymes, hypertriglyceridemia) • Minocycline 100mg po BID (can cause vestibular toxicity, manifested as dizziness, ataxia, nausea and vomiting) • Tetracycline 500mg po once daily (common side effects include GI upset and photosensitivity) • None of the above

39. Patient Education • Patient education and setting expectations are important components of effective acne treatment • Lack of adherence is the most common cause of treatment failure • With the patient, the physician should develop the therapeutic regimen with the highest likelihood of adherence • Acne treatment is only treating new lesions, not the ones already there

40. Patient Education (cont.) • Patients should use only the prescribed medications and avoid potentially drying over-the-counter products, such as astringent, harsh cleansers or antibacterial soaps • Recommend daily moisturizer when patients are using solutions and gels because they have more drying effects than creams and ointments • Overaggressive washing and the use of particulate abrasive scrubs often exacerbates acne and should be avoided • Cosmetics are often labeled as “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free” if they do not cause or exacerbate acne

41. Ms. Emily Garcia Case Two

42. Case Two: History • HPI: Ms. Garcia is a 22-year-old woman who was referred to the dermatology clinic for new onset acne • PMH: no major illness or hospitalizations, no pregnancies • Allergies: allergic to penicillin(rash) • Medications: occasional multivitamin • Family history: noncontributory • Social history: lives in the city and attends college • Health-related behaviors: gained 40 pounds over the past 4 years despite a healthy diet and exercise habits • ROS: new upper lip and chin hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles since menarche, last period was 4 months ago

43. Case Two: Skin Exam • Moderate comedonal and inflammatory acne of cheeks and jaw line. Also with scattered terminal hairs on the upper lip and lower chin. • Hair loss noted on frontal and parietal scalp.

44. Case Two, Question 1 • Ms. Garcia was given spironolactone and her acne improved. Why did this medication work? • Spironolactone has anti-androgenic effects • Spironolactone has anti-comedonal activity • Spironolactone when used appropriately has anti-bacterial activity • The diuretic effect of spironolactone eliminated sodium resulting in less sebum

45. Case Two, Question 1 Answer: a • Ms. Garcia was given spironolactone and her acne resolved. Why did this medication work? • Spironolactone has anti-androgenic effects • Spironolactone has anti-comedonal activity (not true) • Spironolactone when used appropriately has anti-bacterial activity (not true) • The diuretic effect of spironolactone eliminated sodium resulting in less sebum (not true)

46. Case Two, Question 2 • Based on the history and exam, what is the most likely diagnosis? • Cushing Syndrome • Gram negative folliculitis • Polycystic ovarian syndrome • S. aureus folliculitis

47. Case Two, Question 2 Answer: c • Based on the history and exam, what is the most likely diagnosis? • Cushing Syndrome (manifestations of excessive corticosteroids, which results in central obesity, muscle wasting, thin skin, hirsutism, purple striae) • Gram negative folliculitis (multiple tiny yellow pustules develop on top of acne vulgaris as a result of long-term antibiotic administration) • Polycystic ovarian syndrome • S. aureus folliculitis (multiple follicular pustules and papules)

48. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome • Ms Garcia most likely has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) • Affected individuals must have two out of the following three criteria: (1) oligo- and/or anovulation, (2) hyperandrogenism (clinical and/or biochemical), and (3) polycystic ovaries on sonographic examination* • In addition to hormonal acne, increased circulating androgens also results in hirsutism • Women with PCOS also have a greater degree with insulin resistance which can cause acanthosis nigricans *Based on definition from the Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group, 2004

49. Androgens in Acne • In many post adolescent women, antiandrogen therapy can improve acne • These women have hormonal acne; their serum hormone levels are usually normal • Hormonal acne lesions are often perioral and along the jaw line • Many women report a pre-menstrual flare • Not all women with hormonal acne are tested for hyperandrogenism • However, it should be considered in the female patient whose acne is severe, sudden in onset, or associated with hirsutism or irregular menses

50. More Examples of Hormonal Acne Inflammatory acne on the lateral and inferior face, especially along the jawline