Acne: Doctors Close In On Cure
The Sun Herald
Saturday April 17, 1993
A NEW drug which doctors claim may help treat acne is being trialled in major hospitals around the country.
More than 80 per cent of the population suffer from acne at some stage of their lives, according to the Australian College Of Dermatologists.
College spokesman Dr Allan Cooper, who is also part of the research team, said doctors are trialling the drug, Spironolactone, which has been used to treat high blood pressure in Australia for nearly 40 years.
Dr Cooper said present acne treatments were taken orally but the new treatment has been developed as a cream to be absorbed through the skin.
"Acne is such a common problem and we need a good alternative."
Dr Cooper said the trials at the Royal Brisbane, Royal North Shore and Royal Melbourne hospitals would be completed later this year.
He said US doctors were closely monitoring the success of the trials to consider whether they would work towards introducing the treatment into America.
Although the majority of acne sufferers are in the 14 to 19-year age group more than 10 pc of people aged in their 30s and 40s live with the skin disorder.
Acne is caused by the action of the male hormone, androgen. The sebaceous glands which secrete an oily substance become inflamed.
The sebum produced by these glands cannot escape because hair follicles become blocked by a fibrous protein called a keratin plug.
Dr Cooper said acne was not related to diet and there was very little people could do to prevent it.
He said researchers were calling for volunteers to be a part of the national trial.
Acne sufferers aged between 13 and 45 must have more than 15 inflammatory spots or pimples on their face to be eligible for the trial.
For more information contact Jill Makaroff at Royal North Shore Hospital on(02) 438 7392.
© 1993 The Sun Herald