Kristel-Marie Ramnath
Unfortunately for cats, humans aren’t the only ones who get acne. In cats, acne forms mostly around the chin area, which is why it is commonly called cat chin acne. Cat acne, or follicular keratinisation as it is officially termed, is a disease in which the hair follicles are blocked due to excessive production of keratin, a protein found in the skin.
While the exact mechanism is poorly understood, the overproduction of keratin is thought to be related to a primary seborrheic disease such as excessive sebum production (natural oil produced by the skin). When this excess keratin becomes trapped in the hair follicle, comedones (blackheads) form. If the comedones become infected with bacteria, pustules or pimple-like lesions will form.
While there has been no proven cause of cat acne, conditions such as stress, viral infection, immunosuppression, allergies, hormone imbalances, hyperactive sebaceous glands, or poor grooming habits may play a role. There may also be an association between using plastic food and water dishes and cat chin acne, as the irregular surface or scratches in the plastic make it more prone to bacterial contamination. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, the result is that the hair follicle becomes “plugged”, and an infection often results.
Cats of all ages can develop acne. Additionally, acne affects males and females of all breeds, as well as both neutered and intact cats. Cat acne is not contagious to humans or other cats.
The most common clinical sign associated with cat acne is the dirty appearance of the chin. It looks more like dirt than pimples, which is why many owners don’t even notice the skin condition. Careful examination will reveal the blackheads and infected follicles. The lesions may appear on the chin, the lower lip, and/or the upper lip. The lips and chin may become swollen and inflamed.
Cats can have a single, isolated bout of acne, or it may be chronic. Chronic or severely affected cats may have so many plugged follicles that they fuse and form swollen, painful crusts. As the lesions get bigger, the follicles are more prone to rupture. Severe cases can lead to hair loss, redness and even bleeding.
Just as advised for human acne, never pick at your cat’s acne. This will cause more pain and infection.
Treatment starts with improved hygiene. Your vet will recommend a benzoyl peroxide facial preparation, a chlorhexidine antibacterial wash, or an anti-seborrheic shampoo to cleanse the affected area and flush the hair follicles. Clipping the nearby fur will help reduce the amount of bacteria. Injectable, oral or topical antibiotics may be necessary depending on the severity of the infection. Cats prone to acne breakouts will benefit from fatty acid supplements such as Omega-3 as these help promote skin health.
Cleaning water and food dishes with increased frequency, and replacing plastic food and water dishes with non-porous, smooth-surfaced ones like stainless steel, glass, or ceramic dishes may also help some cats.
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