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Acne: Vulgaris and Variants

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Severe Skin Diseases in Children

Abstract

Although the term “acne” often brings to mind the common form of acne known as acne vulgaris, acne can have several other variants, with different courses and thus management. In addition to recognizing the type of acne, assessing the degree of severity is critical to providing the best possible treatment. With more severe presentations, topical therapy may be inadequate. Many systemic therapies are available for various forms of acne – some provide control of the disease, while others may actually provide a cure. They may, however, also give unwanted side effects and complications, of which the prescriber should be cognizant and have comfort in managing. This chapter provides a review of the presentation of various forms of acne requiring systemic therapy, candidate systemic agents, when and how to use these medications, and various pitfalls associated with their administration.

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Abbreviations

AC:

Acne conglobata

AF:

Acne fulminans

AR:

Acne rosacea

AV:

Acne vulgaris

COC:

Combined oral contraceptives

CPA:

Cyproterone acetate

DHEAS:

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

HA:

Hormone-related acne

OCP:

Oral contraceptive

PAPA:

Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome

PCOS:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

PF:

Pyoderma faciale

SAPHO:

Synovitis acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Dermatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3550 Market Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Marissa J. Perman MD

  2. Divisions of Dermatology and General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ML E3004, Cincinnati, OH, 29928, USA

    Anne W. Lucky MD

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  1. Marissa J. Perman MD
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  2. Anne W. Lucky MD
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Correspondence to Marissa J. Perman MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric & Adolescent Dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA

    Wynnis L. Tom

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Perman, M.J., Lucky, A.W. (2014). Acne: Vulgaris and Variants. In: Tom, W. (eds) Severe Skin Diseases in Children. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39532-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39532-1_3

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