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Acne fulminans

Authoring team

This is a rare, very severe form of acne due to an immune complex reaction to Propionibacterium acnes.

It most commonly affects adolescent boys.

Features:

  • severe eruptive and ulcerative scarring lesions, fever, arthralgia, debilitation leucocytosis and a high ESR
  • osteolytic bone lesions can occur eg. in the clavicle

Management:

  • inpatient treatment with high dose systemic steroid
  • if patient is taking oral isotretinoin then temporary withdrawal of this treatment is usual

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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