Max's House
Acne, Chin
Chin acne is a
term used to describe the presence of multiple comedones (blackheads) on the chin,
commissures, and perioral area of cats. The skin around the mouth and on the chin of cats
is rich in sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily material for scent marking in this
species. When the ducts leading from the gland to the skin becomes occluded, oil and
bacteria accumulate and a comedone is formed. These comedones are relatively benign unless
they are present in large numbers or unless they develop into folliculitis and
furunculosis. The sudden development of marked comedones in a cat should alert the
clinician to the possibility of an underlying disease. Feline demodicosis,
dermatophytosis, and Malassezia infections have
been diagnosed in such cats. Skin scrapings, fungal culture, and cytologic preparations of
the debris expressed from these comedones should be examined.
Treatment will
depend on the underlying cause. Cats with bacterial infections will require 3 to 4 weeks
of antibiotic therapy, and the owner should be instructed not to squeeze the comedones
because this can cause more inflammation and spread the infection through the dermis. Hot
packing the cat's face may be beneficial, if the patient is cooperative.
The development
of comedones in older cats has been attributed to diminished grooming activity or
cessation of grooming of the face by the cat. The development of comedones in older cats
is a common geriatric finding independent of grooming activity, unless the cat is severely
arthritic. Careful evaluation of the patient rarely confirms poor grooming behavior in
these older cats. In addition, owners rarely report decreased grooming activity preceding
the onset of acne. Treatment of these cats depends primarily on how objectionable the
condition is to the owners. The comedones tend to wax and wane, causing little discomfort
to the cat, unless an infection develops. The area can be washed daily with benzoyl
peroxide; however, given the choice, most cats would rather be left alone.