For John, acne keloidalis nuchae was part of a struggle that extended beyond the visible condition of his scalp. In this Bumpinator chapter, he recalls a pivotal conversation with Dr. Sanusi Umar: a treatment plan that also acknowledged his weight and emotional well-being.
The Visit That Changed the Conversation
John says it was his second visit when Dr. Umar laid out a plan and explained how they would approach his care. The clarity of that conversation stayed with him. Afterward, John sat in his car for about 10 minutes and cried.
He explains that Dr. Umar had offered to help him lose weight, an issue John connected to the depression and weight gain he had experienced while dealing with his condition. What mattered in that moment was not simply being told what could be done about his scalp, but hearing a plan that took more of his experience into account.
Looking Beyond the Visible Condition
Dr. Umar describes the importance of moving beyond what he could see clinically to consider how John had reached that point and what support might be needed. In the conversation, he characterizes John’s presentation as among the most advanced cases involving the three conditions under discussion, without naming all three in this chapter.
That distinction matters in John’s account. His experience was not limited to the question of how to treat bumps on the back of the head. He also describes the toll that his circumstances had taken on his confidence and weight.
What John’s Family Saw
A family member recalls, “He used to avoid mirrors. Now he walk into rooms.” Another reflection captures the concern beneath the visible changes: “I wasn’t scared of what was on his head. I was scared I was losing the person underneath.”
The chapter also includes the family’s assessment of surgery: “It brought my brother back to me.” These are personal reflections on John’s experience, not a prediction of how another patient will respond to treatment.
A Broader Picture of Progress
A brief on-screen account refers to weight loss, AKN surgery, laser treatments, and other health and life challenges during the preceding 12 months. The chapter does not provide enough detail to assess which interventions produced particular outcomes. Instead, its focus remains on John’s testimony and the significance of a plan that addressed more than a single visible concern.
For John, the defining memory is the moment he left a consultation feeling that Dr. Umar had understood the larger problem. The chapter closes with a family perspective on his movement from despair toward determination.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article describes one patient’s experience. Individual circumstances and results vary. The content is educational and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.
Further Reading
- https://dru.com/john-acne-keloidalis-nuchae-family-encouragement/
- Umar S, Ogah O, Yang J, Tan BH, Aiead N, Shitabata PK. A Candidate Syndromic Triad of Acne Keloidalis Nuchae, Dissecting Cellulitis, and Secondary Cutis Verticis Gyrata. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2026 Aug 28;19:615576. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S615576. PMID: 42683347; PMCID: PMC13532648.
https://www.dovepress.com/a-candidate-syndromic-triad-of-acne-keloidalis-nuchae-dissecting-cellu-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
