Page 84 - LECTURE NOTES

4.3.8 Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of sebaceous unit. It is a common
inflammatory disorder affecting face, chest and back but it may occur at any site.

Acne is the most commonly encountered skin condition, affecting an estimated 85% of

the population between 12 & 35 years of age. Girls develop acne 2years earlier than
boys

Characteristics
Characterized by the presence of – closed comedones (white heads,)

Open comedones (black heads) are primary lesions while Papules, Pustules, and

Nodules & cysts are secondary lesions

¾ Becomes more marked at puberty
¾ Occurs when the pilosebaceous duct is plugged

Clinical manifestations
Closed comedones (white head) –

- are formed from impacted lipids or oils and keratin that plug

the dilated follicle
- are small, whitish papules

- may evolve in to open comedones
- have minute follicular openings that can’t be seen

-Open comedones (Black head)
– Contents are in open communication with the external

environment the blackhead is due to accumulation of lipid,

bacterial & epithelial debris that obstruct the flow of sebum.
Factors which contribute to the development of the acne lesion are:

1. Excess secretion of sebum

2. Abstraction of the pilosebeaues orifice
3. Inflammation as a result of pcapionobacterum acne and leakage of

content of pilosebeaceoues content

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