A rare form of extremely severe cystic acne occurring in teenage boys, characterised by the presence of highly inflammatory nodules and plaques that undergo suppurative degeneration leaving ulcerations, fever, weight loss , anaemia, leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and polyarthritis. Non-inflammatory acne produces plugged follicles and a few pimples.
Inflammatory acne is characterised by many pimples, pustules, nodules and inflamed cysts.
The lesions are found on the face, neck, chest and shoulders. Lay persons often are misinformed about the cause and effects of acne. It is not a contagious disease, nor is it due to uncleanliness or poor personal hygiene. It is not caused or made worse by lack of sleep, constipation, masturbation, venereal disease, or by anger or hostility. Dietary indiscretion can sometimes contribute to the appearance of lesions, but there are very few people who can find a cause-effect relationship between certain foods they have eaten and the appearance of acne lesions.