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Acne-KH

John L. Bezzant,M.D.

Acne is caused by not only anabolic steroids (testosterone), but also by catabolic steroids (corticosteroids) as shown in this patient. He had head trauma in a motorcycle accident, and was given dexamethasone to reduce brain edema. After several weeks, the red papules and pustules of acne vulgaris begin to appear in such patients. They result spontaneously when the steroid is stopped.