Early and aggressive treatment of acne is advocated by some in the medical community to decrease the overall long-term impact on individuals.In 2015, acne affected approximately 633 million people globally, making it the eighth-most common disease worldwide. Acne commonly occurs in adolescence and affects an estimated 80–90% of teenagers in the Western world. Some rural societies report lower rates of acne than industrialized ones. Children and adults may also be affected before and after puberty. Although acne becomes less common in adulthood, it persists in nearly half of affected people into their twenties and thirties, and a smaller group continues to have difficulties in their forties. Classification
The severity of acne vulgaris (Gr. ἀκµή, "point" + L. vulgaris, "common") can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe to determine an appropriate treatment regimen. There is no universally accepted scale for grading acne severity. The presence of clogged skin follicles (known as comedones) limited to the face with occasional inflammatory lesions defines mild acne. Moderate severity acne is said to occur when a higher number of inflammatory papules and pustules occur on the face, compared to mild cases of acne, and appear on the trunk of the body. Severe acne is said to occur when nodules (the painful bumps lying under the skin) are the characteristic facial lesions, and involvement of the trunk is extensive.Large nodules were previously called cysts. The term nodulocystic has been used in the medical literature to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne.
It is also helpful to expose such areas to air and limit skin-on-skin friction as much as possible. In order to decrease friction as a predisposing factor, weight loss for individuals with obesity or reduction mammoplasty for large breasts is encouraged and recommended. To decrease the chance of worsening symptoms, a drying agent, such as baby powder, can be applied. Application of other barrier agents, such as zinc oxide or petrolatum, aids in the reduction of skin deterioration and alleviates itching and pain. Treatment
The most common treatment options of intertrigo complicated with secondary bacterial infection such as group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus are topical mupirocin (bactroban), erythromycin, low potency topical steroids like hydrocortisone 1% cream, and oral antibiotics (such as oral penicillin, cephalexin, ceftriaxon, cefazolin, and clindamycin). These broad-spectrum antibiotics are ideal in targeting bacterial agents due to the large number of microbiota on the human skin. Additionally, the low potency steroids aid in the reduction of the reaction, reducing discomfort to the patient. Drying agents, such as aluminum sulfate and talcum powder, may be used alongside other treatments to help the healing process to go faster. Although, if these agents are to be used, it is better to space them few hours apart. A hair drier could also be utilized on the affected area as intertrigo responds well to the removal of moisture. Age is an important factor to consider when dosing since intertrigo is prevalent amongst young children. Proper identification of etiology is required in order to treat optimally.