Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Acne keloidalis nuchae.*

How can I cover this up? Is everyone staring? Will she like me when she sees? What will they think at my new job? These are just a few questions a person might ask himself when struggling with some chronic, cosmetic disfigurement like acne keloidalis nuchae. AKN typically manifests on the lower rear scalp and obstructs the normal growth of hair, making it difficult to obscure from sight.

What is Acne Keloidalis Nuchae?

Acne keloidalis nuchae is a mysterious skin disorder, possibly caused by a number of factors, but with an undetermined etiology. It starts off looking like razor bumps or pimples on the back of the head and then grows to painful keloidlike plaques (hence the name) filled with malodorous puss. It is hardly ever seen in Caucasians, occasionally found in Asians and Hispanics, and most prevalent among people of African descent. Additionally, it is very rarely seen in women, with a male—female ratio of twenty to one.

The tumescent masses come in the latter stages of the condition. In addition to being painful and embarrassing, they frequently itch and may erupt in discharge. The hair that grows amid this condition, if any, cultivates in doll-like tufts in small spaces between the adjoining plaques.

What Causes Acne Keloidalis Nuchae?

Though the cause is not entirely determined, there are theories of its origin. Hypotheses include:

  • -It is an autoimmune dysfunction: The main theory is that the body mistakes the hair follicle for a foreign substance and attacks the shaft as well as the adjacent sebaceous gland. However, due to its high level of incidence among people with coarse and wavy or curled follicles, there are other immune-related theories. Some researchers have suggested that acne keloidalis nuchae is an autoimmune response to emerging hairs that inadvertently grow back into the skin. This would prompt an inflammatory autoimmune response. Environmental variables, for example, frequent shaving of the scalp hair or irritation from a shirt collar might exacerbate this issue.
  • After surgical excision of the plaques.

    After surgical excision of the plaques*

    -It is caused by bacteria: Bacteria damages the hair follicle, causing the irreversible development of acne keloidalis nuchae.

  • -It is caused by mast cells: Related to the autoimmune theories, an overabundance of mast cells in the rear scalp may lead to AKN. This culprit is a specialized autoimmune cell programmed to attack foreign invaders in the body.
  • -It is caused by the use of Cyclosporine: this medication suppresses the immune system and is often prescribed for people who’ve had an organ transplant. Cyclosporine raises the incidence of acne keloidalis nuchae among Caucasians.

Although AKN is a chronic condition and frequently recurs after treatment, it is not unbeatable. There are various ways of handling and curing acne keloidalis nuchae.