Acne – Does Fibromyalgia Causes Acne?

by M G Rana, MD.

Acne is inflammatory disease of the skin. It is a chronic condition in which dark spots; pimples are formed on the body mainly on the face, shoulders, upper arm, neck and chest. In United States 50 million Americans are affected by this condition each year. Mainly it occurs on the onset of puberty when sebaceous glands get activated but it can occur at any age. It is not a life threatening condition but the drawback is that it leaves scars.

Causes of Acne

Human skins contain pores that are connected to oil glands beneath the skin. Follicle is the connection between glands and pores. Follicles are sac like pooches that produce and secrete oily fluid. Sebum is the oily liquid produced by these glands. Dead cells are transferred to surface of the skin by sebum.

Hair growth also takes place through these follicles. When these follicles get blocked due to any reason pimples occur and then oil continues to build up under the skin. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) are the bacteria responsible for the formation of infectious pimples.

Does fibromyalgia cause acne?

First of all they you need to clear your concept that many factors are responsible for acne. But one of the main factors is the blockage of follicles. In fibromyalgia widespread pain is the main symptom but some other symptoms are there too like mood and sleep issues.

Some patients complain that when these symptoms worsen they experience acne flare up. The follicle which gets blocked in acne may cause white head or black head. Sometimes it may get infected with bacteria and bacteria can easily survive in this pore. White head is formed when the wall of the follicle bulge outwards. Follicle may darken when it opens to the skin surface causing black head.

The causes of acne varied from person to person but some people have some common symptoms like as follows:

  • >>Stress plays a very important role and it can sometimes make your breakouts more prominent.
  • >>Lithium, androgen and corticosteroids containing medicines can worsen your acne.
  • >> The hormonal cycle also play a very important role. Some women find out that their acne is exaggerated during, before and after menstrual cycle. During puberty acne is more common, as androgens cause the sebaceous glands to release more sebum.
  • >>Eating carbohydrates, dairy products and greasy foods can also make your pimples worse, but it differ from person to person.
  • >>Make up also plays a very important role. Oily make up can block your pores and can contribute to acne. So always wash your makeup before going to bed.

Acne in patients with fibromyalgia is quite common. Some may also experience chronic skin conditions such as dry skin, rosacea, and itchy skin. But this doesn’t mean that it’s easy to find evidence directly linking the two. And if the disease does have a role to affect the skin, it’s not clear exactly why!

Management

Corticosteroid injection

A specialist may treat an inflamed cyst by injecting a diluted corticosteroid. It will speed up healing and will prevent inflammation and scarring.

Oral antibiotics

Antibiotics may stop the growth of bacteria, so they are prescribed for 6 months.

Topical antimicrobials

Clindamycin is the topical antimicrobials used to treat acne.

Topical retinoids are a derivative of vitamin A. They unclog the pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from developing.

Isotretinoin

It is used for treatment of severe acne for which other medications didn’t work.

Related Article:

Fibro Related Skin Problems and their management

The Damaging Effects of Makeup on Skin in Fibromyalgia

Reference:

  • Does Fibromyalgia Cause Acne? via Helathclop
  • What you need to know about acne By Christian Nordqvist via Medical News Today
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