ABSTRACT

Pruritus has been reported among acne patients. In this study we aimed to determine the frequency and intensity of pruritus among students with acne and to evaluate the factors influencing the severity of pruritus.

The study was carried out among students attending one of the high schools in our city center. All students were examined by a clinician and they completed a questionnaire on demographic and clinical data. The severity of acne, intensity of pruritus and related factors were assessed.

A total of 161 students (mean age 16.1 ± 0.9 years) with acne were included in the study. Itching accompanying acne lesions was noted in (42.2%) half of the patients, including 42 (61.8%) boys and 26 (38.2%) girls. The mean intensity of pruritus in patients with mild, moderate and severe acne according to the visual analog score was 3.08 ± 1.36, 3.58 ± 1.39 and 6.67 ± 1.75, relatively. Factors aggravating the intensity of acne itch were stress (98.2%), sweat (72.1%), physical effort (88.2%), fatigue (100%), heat (54.4%) and food (79.4%). Patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms showed 78.6% and 87.5% pruritus in acne lesions, relatively. Itching resolved in 73.7% of patients receiving systemic and topical treatments for acne.

We conclude that itching of acne lesions is a relatively common concomitant symptom. It could be suggested that pruritus in acne patients may provoke stress and other psychosocial problems, similarly to other itchy dermatoses. And also pruritus may be resolved by topical or systemic acne treatment.