Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- skin lesions
Other diagnostic factors
- skin tenderness
- depression, social isolation
- systemic complaints
Risk factors
- age 12 to 24 years
- genetic predisposition
- greasy skin/increased sebum production
- endocrine disorders
- medications
- dietary factors
- female sex/estrogens
- obesity/insulin resistance
- hyperandrogenism
- halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons exposure
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- clinical diagnosis
Investigations to consider
- hormonal evaluation
- bacterial culture
Treatment algorithm
not hormone-related (not pregnant)
hormone-related (women, not pregnant)
pregnant
Contributors
Authors
Robert P. Dellavalle, MD, PhD, MSPH
Professor of Dermatology and Public Health
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Colorado School of Public Health
Chief, Dermatology Service
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora
CO
Disclosures
RD has been an Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics investigator of global antibiotic use for acne. He has received royalties from UpToDate. RD was the PI on Pfizer Pharmaceutical independent research grants to the University of Colorado for development of open access patient decision aids.
Torunn E. Sivesind, MD
Dermatology Research Fellow
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora
CO
Disclosures
TS receives fellowship funding from the Pfizer Global Medical Grant Dermatology Fellowship 2020 (PI: R.P. Dellavalle), and serves on the Medical Advisory Board of Antedotum Inc.
Acknowledgements
Professor Dellavalle and Dr Sivesind would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Sarah Shangraw, Dr Mark Naftanel, Dr Yolanda Rosi Helfrich, and Dr Amanda Howland, previous contributors to this topic.
Disclosures
SS, MN, YRH, and AH declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Gina Taylor, MD
Resident
Department of Dermatology
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
New York
NY
Disclosures
GT declares that she has no competing interests.
Gillian Murphy, MD, FRCPI, FRCP, Edin
Consultant Dermatologist
Dermatology
Beaumont Hospital
Dublin
Ireland
Disclosures
Not disclosed.
Differentials
- Acne keloidalis nuchae
- Acneiform eruptions
- Chloracne
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Acne vulgaris: management
- Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris
More GuidelinesPatient leaflets
Acne
More Patient leaflets
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