Acne and itch: Pathogenic role of neurogenic inflammation

According to the current concepts, pathogenesis of acne includes signifcant morphological and functional changes and hypercolonization of C. acnes of the sebaceous hair follicle. But most important input into pathogenesis of acne gives permanent inflammation, previously considered as a secondary pathophysiological reaction. Recently, much attention has been given to pruritus associated with acne lesions. This literature review analyzes the data concerning the pathogenetic role of neurogenic inflammation in acne; the clinical importance of itch in the overall presentation of the disease is underlined, and its influence on psychosomatic correlations is presented.