Acneiform Eruptions

Excerpt

Acneiform eruptions are a group of disorders characterized by papules and pustules resembling acne vulgaris. Distinguishing between acne-like dermatoses and real acne can be difficult in clinical settings. Acneiform eruptions can display papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts, just like acne. Unlike acne, comedones are infrequent but can be seen in specific forms of acneiform eruptions. Additionally, the sudden onset, propensity to affect people of all ages, uniformity of lesions, and dispersion outside the seborrheic regions distinguish acneiform eruptions from acne. Medications, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities, drug reactions, or genetic disorders may cause acneiform eruptions. In most cases, the diagnosis is clinical, but when there is doubt, one may obtain a biopsy or culture of any discharge. Withdrawal of the suspected medication is another way to make the diagnosis. The treatment of acneiform eruptions depends on the cause. Clinicians frequently erroneously treat patients for acne and exacerbate the condition.