BACKGROUND: Acne is a common condition in both adolescents and adults. Characteristics of acne are well described, but itch is rarely mentioned as a clinical feature. Pruritus could be a significant contributory factor to the burden of disability in patients with acne. OBJECTIVE: We examine the prevalence of pruritus and its clinical attributes in patients with acne in an outpatient clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study over a 15 month period from October 2005 to December 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 consecutive patients with acne attending an outpatient clinic at National Skin Centre, Singapore were recruited. Pruritus was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Severity of acne was determined using FDA Global Acne Grading. RESULTS: 84 patients (70%) reported itch in acne. Patients who experienced itch in acne tended to be slightly older (p = 0.05). Majority of patients (83%) reported itch at noon and most experienced itch on a transient nature. The most common descriptor of itch was tickling (68%). Severity of pruritus in acne was comparable to mosquito-bite and it significantly affected patients' mood (55%). Common aggravating factors for the pruritus were sweat (71%), heat (62%) and stress (31%). A significant proportion of patients with itch (52%) had scratched or rubbed the affected area while 37% would wash the area to find relief. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that itch is a common and significant symptom in acne. Acne patients experienced considerable disability due to the associated pruritus.
BACKGROUND:Acne is a common condition in both adolescents and adults. Characteristics of acne are well described, but itch is rarely mentioned as a clinical feature. Pruritus could be a significant contributory factor to the burden of disability in patients with acne. OBJECTIVE: We examine the prevalence of pruritus and its clinical attributes in patients with acne in an outpatient clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study over a 15 month period from October 2005 to December 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 consecutive patients with acne attending an outpatient clinic at National Skin Centre, Singapore were recruited. Pruritus was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Severity of acne was determined using FDA Global Acne Grading. RESULTS: 84 patients (70%) reported itch in acne. Patients who experienced itch in acne tended to be slightly older (p = 0.05). Majority of patients (83%) reported itch at noon and most experienced itch on a transient nature. The most common descriptor of itch was tickling (68%). Severity of pruritus in acne was comparable to mosquito-bite and it significantly affected patients' mood (55%). Common aggravating factors for the pruritus were sweat (71%), heat (62%) and stress (31%). A significant proportion of patients with itch (52%) had scratched or rubbed the affected area while 37% would wash the area to find relief. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that itch is a common and significant symptom in acne. Acnepatients experienced considerable disability due to the associated pruritus.