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$Unique_ID{BRK03418}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Acne Rosacea}
$Subject{Acne Rosacea Adult Acne Acne Erythematosa Rosacea Hypertrophic
Rosacea Rhinophyma Acne Conglobata Acne Vulgaris Acne Fulminans Excoriated
Acne of Young Women Chloracne Atypical Acneiform eruptions}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.
527:
Acne Rosacea
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Acne Rosacea) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
find alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Adult Acne
Acne Erythematosa
Rosacea
Hypertrophic Rosacea
Rhinophyma
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Acne Conglobata
Acne Vulgaris
Acne Fulminans
Excoriated Acne of Young Women
Chloracne
Atypical Acneiform eruptions
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Acne Rosacea is a skin disorder limited to the nose, cheeks and forehead,
typically beginning during adulthood. The facial skin becomes oily, reddened
and bumpy. Small red blood vessels are visible. In extreme cases, the nose
may appear very red and bulbous.
Symptoms
Acne Rosacea affects the skin of the nose, surrounding cheeks and forehead
areas. The skin becomes oily and progressively reddened (erythematous) with
enlarged blood vessels apparent in the skin (telangiectasias). Typically,
small elevated growths (papules), some containing dead skin cells and fluid
(pustules) develop over the central area of the face. Scarring usually does
not occur. In very severe cases, the skin of the nose becomes extremely red
and bulbous (rhinophyma).
Causes
The exact cause of Acne Rosacea is not known. Scientists believe a genetic
predisposition to the disorder may exist. Symptoms can be intensified by hot
liquids, spicy foods, alcohol consumption (although this is not always a
cause; many cases occur among teetotalers), vigorous exercise, heat, exposure
to sun and wind, certain vitamin deficiencies, endocrine disturbances and/or
emotional stress.
Affected Population
Acne Rosacea usually begins between the ages of thirty and fifty years of
age, but can occur at any age. The disorder tends to affect females more
than males, although cases among males tend to be more severe.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Acne Rosacea.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Acne Conglobata may occur alone, or may be part of a symptom complex in
conjunction with Hidradenitis Suppurativa and connective tissue inflammation
(cellulitis) of the scalp. Lesions usually occur on the neck and upper
trunk, but may extend to the upper arms, lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
The typical acne skin eruptions are present, but symptoms are chronic with
abscesses and the development of connective formations between inflamed skin
growths (nodules) and cysts. The cysts contain foul-smelling fluid, and
severe scarring is common. Although this form of acne resists treatment with
systemic antibiotics, symptoms may be controlled by the use of isotretinoin
in some cases.
Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne which affects many
adolescents during puberty. The skin eruptions primarily appear on the face,
upper back and/or chest due to overactive oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands
related to changes in hormonal activity.
Acne Fulminans is a rare variant of acne seen predominately among
adolescent males. Mild Acne Vulgaris initially develops but it is
unexpectedly followed by markedly inflamed and painful lesions on the upper
trunk and occasionally the face. Lesions may bleed and/or crust, and may be
accompanied by fever and other systemic abnormalities. Treatment with
isotretinoin, with or without systemic corticosteroid drugs and antibiotics,
can be effective in most cases.
Excoriated Acne of Young Women (Acne Excorie Des Jeunes Filles) is a
variant of acne produced by excessive manipulation of acne lesions resulting
in increased scarring. Although it is often found among young women, it can
be found in any age group and both sexes.
Chloracne may develop among workers exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Treatment of the skin lesions should be accompanied by removal of the
irritating substance from the environment.
Atypical Acneiform eruptions are seen in any age group and are not always
limited to oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands. These eruptions may appear as a
result of corticosteroid, androgen, or progesterone drug therapy.
Occupational problems including ingestion of iodine or bromine salts, or skin
contact with machine oils such as insoluble cutting oils, may also cause this
type of acne. Additionally, drugs such as diphenylhydantoin and lithium can
induce this skin condition.
Therapies: Standard
Although there is no cure for Acne Rosacea, symptoms can be controlled.
Antibiotics can control inflammation, but may cause adverse reactions in some
patients. Carbon Dioxide laser and conventional surgery are used to remove
excess skin growth (rhinophyma) as a temporary measure. Argon lasers have
been effective in reducing redness in the nose area, but only in mild cases
which have not progressed to rhinophyma. The orphan drug metronidazole
(Metrogel) was approved in 1988 by the FDA for treatment of Acne Rosacea.
This drug is manufactured by Curatek Pharmaceuticals of Elk Village, IL.
Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
The orphan drug Sprelin injection was recently approved by the FDA for
the treatment of Precocious Puberty.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
February 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Acne Rosacea, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Acne Research Institute
1236 Somerset Lane
Newport Beach, CA 92260
(914) 722-1805
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 495-4484
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp. 1379-1381.
TOPICAL METRONIDAZOLE THERAPY FOR ROSACEA: P.A. Bleicher, et al.; Arch
Dermatol (May 1987, issue 123(5)). Pp. 609-614.
TREATMENT OF THE RED NOSE WITH THE ARGON LASER: C.H. Dicken; Mayo Clin
Proc (November 1986, issue 61(11)). Pp. 893-895.
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF RHINOPHYMA WITH THE SHAW SCALPEL: R.F. Eisen, et
al.; Arch Dermatol (March 1986, issue 122(3)). Pp. 307-309.
TREATMENT OF ROSACEA WITH ISOTRETINOIN: E. Hoting, et al.; Int J
Dermatol (December 1986, issue 25(10)). Pp. 660-663.
COMBINED CARBON DIOXIDE LASER EXCISION AND VAPORIZATION IN THE TREATMENT
OF RHINOPHYMA: R.G. Wheeland, et al.; R.G. Wheeland, et al.; J Dermatol Surg
Oncol (February 1987, issue 13(2)). Pp. 172-177.