How can we define a diagnosis of acne fulminans?
Acne fulminans are a rare and severe form of acne conglobata associated with systemic symptoms. They almost always occur in men.
When do they appear?
Acne fulminanas appear in early puberty, most often at the age of thirteen
What are their clinical features?
Clinical features are as follows:
* sudden onset
* Inflammatory and ulcerated lumpy acne on the chest and back
* Distinct scarring
* fluctuating fever
* sore joints
* weakness (eg the patient feels bad)
* loss of appetite and weight
* increase in the number of white blood cells
What are the causes of acne fulminans?
Although they usually break out suddenly, they are sometimes caused by:
Testosterone (taken as a medicine prescribed by a doctor or taken arbitrarily to increase muscle mass)
Isotretinoin
How to treat:
Treatment:
A patient with fulminans acne should consult a dermatologist immediately. Treatment is very difficult and usually requires several medications. Treatment usually includes:
High doses of erythromycin (2 g per day)
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as salicylates (Aspirin)
Systemic oral steroids such as prednisolone (20-60 mg / day)
Dapson
Isotretinoin
Can these acne be treated with topical therapy?
Topical acne treatment is ineffective.
Keywords: Acne fulminans, men, testosterone, erythromycin,
In short: Acne fulminans are a severe form of acne that is accompanied by general symptoms, but also the consequent local formation of scars. They are treated with high doses of oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Did you know: SAPHO syndrome (Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and inflammation of the bones) can be a serious complication of acne fulminans.
For My doctor: Perica Ante dr.med. dermatovenerologist
