Abuse of anabolic steroids among athletes occurs in order to achieve high athletic performance, to increase muscle mass. However, not all of them think that taking such drugs can provoke serious diseases of the skin and internal organs.

A special form of skin disease caused by the use of anabolics is the so-called bodybuilding acne, which is most often difficult to treat.

Acne of bodybuilders as a special form of acne after taking steroids

Bodybuilder Acne – a special form of acne that appears after taking anabolic steroids, testosterone derivatives to increase muscle mass, weight. Bodybuilding acne is a special variant of androgen-induced acne. Anabolic steroids are used as a means of hypertrophy of the muscles as the basis for building strength.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the abuse of anabolic steroids is often associated with the unmotivated use of numerous drugs. Therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids are 5-25 mg/day orally, 40-50 mg/week parenterally. However, athletes use higher dosages and take drugs in combination: both orally and parenterally.

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What does taking anabolic hormones do

Anabolic steroids in men and women lead to an increase in the secretion of the sebaceous glands. It has been proven that the sebaceous glands in men during puberty do not reach their maximum size and, with appropriate androgenic stimulation, can increase. Secretion production increases rapidly and leads to significant seborrhea of ​​the scalp, chest and back.

The action of steroids with their constant use is not only an anabolic effect, but, above all, a long-term hormonal dysregulation. In men, feminizing effects occur: gynecomastia, oligo- and azospermia. These changes are only partially reversible.

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Many patients will not admit to taking anabolic steroids. The presumptive diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of the substance in the urine (doping test). Traces of many drugs remain in the body for years.

Complications after taking anabolic hormones

One of the complications after taking these drugs is the development of acne, which requires mandatory withdrawal of steroids, after which therapy is carried out in accordance with the severity of the disease.

Clinical case

Patient S., born in 1992, living in Kharkiv, was hospitalized with a diagnosis of severe acne complicated by demodicosis.

Complaints on admission

: painful rashes, itching, suppuration. Objectively: the dermatosis is widespread, represented by papulo-pustules, infiltrates on the back, face, scalp; on the sternum there is a confluent focus of inflammatory elements covered with hemorrhagic crusts, under which there is purulent contents.

Anamnesis of illness.

Has been ill for about 5 years. Debut of rashes – year 2009. Addressed to the dermatologist at the place of residence. The last deterioration began 2 years ago, was not treated. The family history is burdened by the father, who at the age of 20 suffered from moderate acne, as evidenced by cicatricial changes on the skin of the face and back. The patient has been taking supplements and sports nutrition to build muscle for two years, presumably with hormonal, protein and vitamin components.

Anamnesis of life.

Botkin's disease, venereal and mental diseases, tuberculosis denies. Allergy anamnesis is not burdened, bad habits are denied. Concomitant pathology: chronic gastritis and biliary dyskinesia by hypermotor type.

Examination.

In clinical analysis, ESR – 45, hemolytic staphylococcus, sensitive to doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, was found. A demodex mite was found in a scraping from the foci.

My default imageIndividual therapy for bodybuilders suffering from acne

Treatment.

The patient's therapy included the exclusion of taking special sports nutrition and supplements, antibiotics of several groups, acaricidal preparations, vitamin therapy, nonspecific immunomodulators, stimulibiotics, prophylactic systemic antimycotics in stages. During the treatment, the level of transaminases was corrected with hepatotropic drugs, the demodex mite was eliminated. The next step was the appointment of systemic retinoids, which the patient took for 6 months.

Results.
Subsequently, the patient returned to sports activities. Three months after the withdrawal of retinoids and the achievement of clinical remission, there is no tendency to relapse. The patient is no longer taking sports supplements. Opinions on the use of anabolic steroids

Discussion. Feature of the presented case – in a severe torpid course of dermatosis, which is caused by age and androgenization characteristic of it and aggravated by the intake of food supplements containing anabolic steroids. Another feature was that the course of dermatosis in this patient was difficult to correct even with complex therapy, which included both systemic antibiotics and systemic retinoids.