The blackheads, so far as practicable, are to be removed by pressure with the fingers or with a suitable instrument (see Comedo), and the superficial pustules punctured and the contents pressed out. Scraping the affected parts with a blunt curette is a valuable measure, but is temporarily disfiguring. As a rule, however, cases do just as well without puncturing and scraping, and these methods sometimes leave behind scarring.
#State the methods of external medication commonly employed.#
By ointments and lotions. If an ointment is used, it is to be thoroughly rubbed in, in small quantity; if a lotion is employed, it is to be well shaken, the parts freely dabbed with it for several minutes and then allowed to dry on.
#State the object in view in local medication.#
To hasten the maturation and disappearance of the existing lesions, and to stimulate the skin and glands to healthy action.
If slight irritation or scaliness results, the application is to be intermitted one or two nights; in the meantime nothing except the hot-water sponging, with or without the application of a mild soothing ointment, is to be employed.
#Is it usually necessary to change from one external remedy to another in the course of treatment?#
Yes. After a certain time one remedy, as a rule, loses its effect, and a change from lotion to ointment or the reverse, and from one lotion or ointment to another, will often be found necessary in order to bring about continuous improvement.
#Name the various important remedies and combinations employed in the external treatment of acne.#
Sulphur is the most valuable. It may often be applied with benefit as a simple ointment:--
[Rx] Sulphur, præcip., .................... [dram]ss-[dram]j Adipis benz. Lanolin, ............ [=a][=a] ....... [dram]ij.
Or it may be used as a lotion, as in the annexed formula:--
[Rx] Sulphur, præcip., .................... [dram]iss Pulv. tragacanthæ, ................... gr. x1 Pulv. camphoræ, ...................... gr. xx Liq. calcis, ........ q.s. ad ........ f[Oz]iv. M.
Another lotion, especially useful in those cases in which an oily condition of the skin is present, is the following:--
[Rx] Sulphur, præcip., .................... [dram]iss Etheris, ............................. f[dram]iv Alcoholis, ........................... f[Oz]iijss. M.