Abstract
Acne fulminans in a patient with suspected bigorexia
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatological Oncology, Provincial Hospital, Opole, Poland/Oddział Dermatologii i Onkologii Dermatologicznej, Szpital Wojewódzki, Opole, Polska
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland/Katedra i Klinika Dermatologii, Wenerologii i Alergologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wrocław, Polska
Introduction
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases. Bodybuilding acne is the form of acne fulminans caused by use of anabolic agents to increase muscle mass. Bigorexia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder.
Objective
To present the case of a patient with suspected bigorexia which led to the development of acne fulminans.
Case report
A 21-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Dermatology with the diagnosis of acne fulminans and suspected bigorexia. Severe acne meaningfully diminished the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the psychophysical condition of the patient. Isotretinoin was introduced. The patient was given psychological and psychiatric advice.
Conclusions
The patient represents a psychodermatology domain case. A dermatologist is often the first physician a patient with body dysmorphic disorder symptoms visit. Cooperation between dermatologists and psychiatrists in treating the patient may be a key to therapeutic success.
Keywords
acne vulgaris, body dysmorphia, anabolic agents
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