Are you experiencing acne? It may surprise you to learn that there are a number of common skin conditions that are regularly confused with acne. Keep reading to learn more about potential skin conditions that appear as acne, but can be something entirely different.
Rosacea
Rosacea is one of the most common skin conditions that’s regularly mistaken for acne. This widespread facial disorder affects nearly 16 million Americans every year. The main symptoms of rosacea include flushing, blushing, permanent skin redness, bloodshot eyes, and more. One of the main reasons rosacea can be confused with acne is that some types of the disorder manifest as small papules or pustules filled around the face. These can be filled with pus and appear like acne bumps. One way to differentiate rosacea from acne is that rosacea bumps are usually centrally located on the face. The spots associated with rosacea are also more likely to be small, red, and relatively painless. While there is no known cause for rosacea, there are treatment options available, including topical and anti-inflammatory treatments. Some acne treatments may improve rosacea, but it is a stubborn skin condition that will usually return.
Perioral Dermatitis
If you are seeing a red rash appear around your mouth, you may be experiencing a type of dermatitis called perioral dermatitis. Perioral Dermatitis can often be mistaken for acne because it can produce some pustules that resemble breakouts. The spots associated with perioral dermatitis are usually small, dry, itchy and located around the mouth. Your skin may be scaly and flaky with inflamed bumps that can itch or burn. Rarely, the rash can spread to your nose or eye area. If you breakdown the word perioral, “peri” means “around” and of course “oral” means “mouth.” The word itself literally means “around the mouth.” Toothpaste is often the main culprit of perioral dermatitis. Treatments can include the use of a barrier cream prior to brushing your teeth that can help improve symptoms.
Melassezia Follicultitis
Often called “Fungal Acne,” this is usually misdiagnosed as acne. Instead, this facial condition is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the face, which naturally occurs on all skin. This condition is very common among men who live in hot and humid climates. You will notice that this Rosacea is different from acne because it is often concentrated on the chin and sides of the face, rather than the center of the face.
If you are experiencing acne symptoms, be sure to have a skincare professional examine and properly diagnose your condition. You may actually be experiencing one of the skin conditions above instead of acne.
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SomaSou is Del Ray’s first MedSpa offering services to help our community enrich themselves and build confidence. “SomaSou” means “your body” and we give you options to help you feel confident about it. Start your journey by taking an active role in your well-being and schedule a free skin consultation with SomaSou today. For more information about our services or to schedule a treatment, visit our website here.
