Acne medicamentosa
Encyclopedia
Acne medicamentosa is acne
that is caused or aggravated by medication. Because acne is generally a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit
s caused by hormone
s, the medications that trigger acne medicamentosa most frequently are hormone analogues. It is also often caused by corticosteroid
s; in this case, it is referred to as steroid acne
.
Although the masculinizing hormone testosterone
is most often blamed, and although men with acne secondary to bodybuilding
hormones are seen from time to time, the major hormonal medications that causes acne are the progestin
analogues present in hormonal contraception
. Other medications can produce acneiform eruption
s (usually pimply bumps and pustules that look like acne).
Some conditions mimic acne medicamentosa. The most common mimic is folliculitis
produced by an overgrowth of the Malassezia species, often secondary to oral or systemic corticosteroid
s, or secondary to broad-spectrum antibiotic
s such as the tetracycline family used in acne. This is often misinterpreted as 'tetracycline-resistant acne'.
Acne
Acne is a general term used for acneiform eruptions. It is usually used as a synonym for acne vulgaris, but may also refer to:*Acne aestivalis*Acne conglobata*Acne cosmetica*Acne fulminans*Acne keloidalis nuchae*Acne mechanica...
that is caused or aggravated by medication. Because acne is generally a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit
Pilosebaceous unit
The Pilosebaceous unit is an epidermal invagination found on most surfaces of the human body....
s caused by hormone
Hormone
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
s, the medications that trigger acne medicamentosa most frequently are hormone analogues. It is also often caused by corticosteroid
Corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte...
s; in this case, it is referred to as steroid acne
Steroid acne
Steroid acne is an adverse reaction to corticosteroids, and presents as small, firm follicular papules on the forehead, cheeks, and chest.-References:...
.
Although the masculinizing hormone testosterone
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
is most often blamed, and although men with acne secondary to bodybuilding
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
hormones are seen from time to time, the major hormonal medications that causes acne are the progestin
Progestin
A progestin is a synthetic progestogen that has progestinic effects similar to progesterone. The two most common uses of progestins are for hormonal contraception , and to prevent endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed estrogen in hormone replacement therapy...
analogues present in hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones, although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The original hormonal method—the combined oral contraceptive...
. Other medications can produce acneiform eruption
Acneiform eruption
Acneiform eruption refers to a group of dermatoses including acne vulgaris, rosacea, folliculitis, and perioral dermatitis. Restated, acneiform eruptions are follicular eruptions characterized by papules and pustules resembling acne....
s (usually pimply bumps and pustules that look like acne).
Some conditions mimic acne medicamentosa. The most common mimic is folliculitis
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin with the exception of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.- Causes :...
produced by an overgrowth of the Malassezia species, often secondary to oral or systemic corticosteroid
Corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte...
s, or secondary to broad-spectrum antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
s such as the tetracycline family used in acne. This is often misinterpreted as 'tetracycline-resistant acne'.