Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

THE MANY opinions which have been advanced concerning the cause of acne vulgaris include bacterial infection, dietary indiscretion, carbohydrate metabolism, ingestion of halogens, local irritation and allergic tendencies. More recently the relationship of the endocrine dyscrasias to acne vulgaris has been studied. There have been many references in the recent literature as to the value of hormones in the treatment of acne vulgaris, but many dermatologists have failed to obtain good results with this form of therapy. In 1932, Engelbach (1) stated that, “The cytologic alteration occurring in the tissue of the skin and mucous membrane and the hormonic effect on the vasomotor system are responsible for the modification of the sudoriferous and sebaceous excretions.” For example, in hypothyroidism, the skin is thick, rough, dry and scaly; whereas in hyperthyroidism is more apt to be thin, delicate, smooth and velvety. The tendency to early involution and atrophy of these glands producing pre-senile changes is characteristic of hypogonads of either primary or secondary cause.