tetracycline and Hirsutism

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Aged; Child, Preschool; Female; Gonorrhea; Hirsutism; Humans; Ichthyosis; Infant; Male; Melphalan; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Sarcoidosis; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; Syphilis; Tetracycline; United States

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) rarely affects pediatric patients. The literature on pediatric HS patients is scarce. This is a cross-sectional study based on case note review or interviews and clinical examination of 140 pediatric patients undergoing secondary or tertiary level care. Patients were predominantly female (75.5%, n = 105) with a median age of 16. 39% reported 1st-degree relative with HS. Median BMI percentile was 88, and 11% were smokers (n = 15). Median modified Sartorius score was 8.5. Notable comorbidities found were acne (32.8%, n = 45), hirsutism (19.3%, n = 27), and pilonidal cysts (16.4%, n = 23). Resorcinol (n = 27) and clindamycin (n = 25) were the most frequently used topical treatments. Patients were treated with tetracycline (n = 32), or oral clindamycin and rifampicin in combination (n = 29). Surgical excision was performed in 18 patients, deroofing in five and incision in seven patients. Obesity seemed to be prominent in the pediatric population and correlated to parent BMI, suggesting a potential for preventive measures for the family. Disease management appeared to be similar to that of adult HS, bearing in mind that the younger the patient, the milder the disease in majority of cases.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Body Mass Index; Child; Clindamycin; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Hirsutism; Humans; Male; Obesity; Pilonidal Sinus; Resorcinols; Rifampin; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Smoking; Tetracycline; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

The administration of anti-androgens brings favourable results especially in such skin diseases showing unsatisfactory therapeutic results, i.e. all severe forms of acne, seborrhoea, androgenic alopecia and hirsutism. Exact knowledge of the oestrogen and gestagen effect is essential. Also of fundamental importance is the observation and consideration of side effects besides the contraceptive efficacy and therapeutic results in dermatology.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Alopecia; Androgen Antagonists; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Female; Hirsutism; Humans; Hypertrichosis; Skin Diseases; Tetracycline; Tretinoin