Acne Keloidalis Nuchae in the Armed Forces
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MILITARY DERMATOLOGY MILITARY DERMATOLOGY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF MILITARY DERMATOLOGISTS Acne Keloidalis Nuchae in the Armed Forces Catherine Brahe, MD; Kristopher Peters, DO; Nicole Meunier, MD cne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic inflam- PRACTICE POINTS matory disorder most commonly involving the • Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic inflamma- A occipital scalpcopy and posterior neck characterized tory disorder of the occipital scalp and posterior neck by the development of keloidlike papules, pustules, and characterized by keloidlike papules, pustules, and plaques. If left untreated, this condition may progress plaques that develop following mechanical irritation. to scarring alopecia. It primarily affects males of African • Military members are required to maintain short hair- descent, but it also may occur in females and in other cuts and may be disproportionately affected by AKN. ethnic groups. Although the exact underlying patho- • In the military population, early identification and treat- not genesis is unclear, close haircuts and chronic mechani- ment, which includes topical steroids, oral antibiotics, cal irritation to the posterior neck and scalp are known UV light therapy, lasers, and surgical excision, can inciting factors. For this reason, AKN disproportionately prevent further scarring, permanent hair loss, and dis- affects active-duty military servicemembers who are held figurement from AKN. Doto strict grooming standards. The US Military maintains these grooming standards to ensure uniformity, self- discipline, and serviceability in operational settings.1 Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease Regulations dictate short tapered hair, particularly on the characterized by the development of keloidlike papules, pustules, back of the neck, which can require weekly to biweekly and plaques on the occipital scalp and posterior neck following haircuts to maintain.1-5 mechanical trauma and irritation. First-line therapy involves avoid- First-line treatment of AKN is prevention by ance of aggravating factors including short and frequent haircuts. avoiding short haircuts and other forms of mechanical Medical treatments—from topical and intralesional steroids, oral irritation.1,6,7 However, there are considerable barri- antibiotics, and UV light to laser and surgical excision—have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy. The active-duty military ers to this strategy within the military due to uniform population faces unique challengesCUTIS in the treatment of AKN because regulations as well as personal appearance and groom- personal appearance and grooming standards restrict avoidance of ing standards. Early identification and treatment the very factors that promote this disease process. In this popula- are of utmost importance in managing AKN in the tion, early identification and treatment are critical to reducing overall military population to ensure reduction of morbidity, patient morbidity and ensuring continued operational and medical prevention of late-stage disease, and continued fit- readiness. This article reviews the clinical features, epidemiology, and ness for duty. This article reviews the clinical features, treatments available in the management of AKN, with a special focus on the active-duty military population. epidemiology, and treatments available for manage- Cutis. 2020;105:223-226. ment of AKN, with a special focus on the active-duty military population. Dr. Brahe is from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, and currently is serving with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Dr. Peters is from the Department of Dermatology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Meunier is from the Department of Dermatology, James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois. The authors report no conflict of interest. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official views or policy of the US Department of Defense. Correspondence: Nicole Meunier, MD, 3001 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064 ([email protected]). WWW.MDEDGE.COM/DERMATOLOGY VOL. 105 NO. 5 I MAY 2020 223 Copyright Cutis 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Publisher. MILITARY DERMATOLOGY Clinical Features and Epidemiology (eg, Kevlar helmets) or maintenance of regulation groom- Acne keloidalis nuchae is a chronic inflammatory dis- ing standards does not meet military admission stan- order characterized by the development of keloidlike dards.10,11 However, mild undiagnosed cases may be papules, pustules, and plaques on the posterior neck overlooked during entrance physical examinations, while and occipital scalp.6 Also known as folliculitis keloidalis many servicemembers develop AKN after entering the nuchae, AKN is seen primarily in men of African descent, military.10 For these individuals, long-term avoidance of though cases also have been reported in females and in haircuts is not a realistic or obtainable therapeutic option. a few other ethnic groups.6,7 In black males, the AKN prevalence worldwide ranges from 0.5% to 13.6%. The Treatment male to female ratio is 20 to 1.7 Although the exact cause Topical Therapy—Early mild to moderate cases of AKN— is unknown, AKN appears to develop from chronic irri- papules less than 3 mm, no nodules present—may be tation and inflammation following localized skin injury treated with potent topical steroids. Studies have shown and/or trauma. Chronic irritation from close-shaved hair- 2-week alternating cycles of high-potency topical steroids cuts, tight-fitting shirt collars, caps, and helmets have all (2 weeks of twice-daily application followed by 2 weeks been implicated as considerable risk factors.6-8 without application) for 8 to 12 weeks to be effective in Symptoms generally develop hours to days follow- reducing AKN lesions.8,12 Topical clindamycin also may be ing a close haircut and begin with the early formation of added and has demonstrated efficacy particularly when inflamed irritated papules and notable erythema.6,7 These pustules are present.7,8 papules may become secondarily infected and develop Intralesional Steroids—For moderate cases of AKN— into pustules and/or abscesses, especially in cases in papules more than 3 mm, plaques, and nodules—intrale- which the affected individual continues to have the hair sional steroid injections may be considered. Triamcinolone shaved. Continued use of shared razors increases the risk may be used at a dosecopy of 5 to 40 mg/mL administered at for secondary infection and also raises the concern for 4-week intervals.7 More concentrated doses will produce transmission of blood-borne pathogens, as AKN lesions faster responses but also carry the known risk of side are quick to bleed with minor trauma.7 effects such as hypopigmentation in darker-skinned indi- Over time, chronic inflammation and continued viduals and skin atrophy. trauma of the AKN papules leads to widespread fibrosis Systemicnot Therapy— Systemic therapy with oral antibi- and scar formation, as the papules coalesce into larger otics may be warranted as an adjunct to mild to moderate plaques and nodules. If left untreated, these later stages cases of AKN or in cases with clear evidence of second- of disease can progress to chronic scarring alopecia.6 ary infection. Long-term tetracycline antibiotics, such as minocycline and doxycycline, may be used concur- Prevention Dorently with topical and/or intralesional steroids.6,7 Their In the general population, first-line therapy of AKN is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects are useful preventative. The goal is to break the cycle of chronic in controlling secondary infections and reducing overall inflammation, thereby preventing the development of chronic inflammation. additional lesions and subsequent scarring.7 Patients When selecting an appropriate antibiotic for long- should be encouraged to avoid frequent haircuts, close term use in active-duty military patients, it is important shaves, hats, helmets, and tight shirt collars.6-8 to consider their effects on duty status. Doxycycline is A 2017 cross-sectional study by Adotama et al9 preferred for active-duty servicemembers because it is not investigated recognition and management of AKN in duty limiting or medically disqualifying.10,13-15 However, predominantly black barbershops in an urban setting. minocycline, is restricted for use in aviators and aircrew Fifty barbers from CUTISbarbershops in Oklahoma City, members due to the risk for central nervous system side Oklahoma, were enrolled and interviewed for the study. effects, which may include light-headedness, dizziness, Of these barbers, only 44% (22/50) were able to prop- and vertigo. erly identify AKN from a photograph. Although the vast UV Light Therapy—UV radiation has known anti- majority (94% [47/50]) were aware that razor use would inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antifibrotic aggravate the condition, only 46% (23/50) reported avoid- effects and commonly is used in the treatment of many ance of cutting hair for clients with active AKN.9 This dermatologic conditions.16 Within the last decade, tar- study, while limited by its small sample size, showed geted UVB (tUVB) radiation has shown promise as an that many barbers may be unaware of AKN and there- effective alternative therapy for AKN. In 2014, Okoye fore unknowingly contribute to the disease process by et al16 conducted a prospective, randomized, split-scalp