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Acne vs. Rosacea. How to Combat Both

At first sight, it may be challenging to differentiate acne from rosacea because they almost look the same. For this reason, you may experience difficulties treating either of them if this occurs. Here is how to tell them apart and, after that, treat each of them accordingly.

Understanding Acne

Acne is a condition triggered by the blockage of the hair follicle pores. Hair follicles are attached to minuscule glands called sebaceous glands, essential in secreting oil on the skin. When these pores become clogged with oil and dead skin, then blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pimples appear. Acne is a common skin condition, especially in puberty, although it may occur in one’s older years. The scars left behind could last forever. A breakout of acne can cause a person to feel shy, embarrassed, and even frustrated. The great news is that with the help of an expert dermatologist for acne, the condition is very manageable.

Understanding Rosacea

Rosacea is a disease that is considered chronic, yet the cause is unknown. However, years of research have found ways to minimize the symptoms and manage the illness. Rosacea appears on the forehead and cheeks in the form of red bumps filled with pus. There are four known types of rosacea classified as subtypes:

Subtype One: Also called Erythematotelangiectactic rosacea (ETR), it manifests symptoms where blood vessels appear on the skin, creating flushing and redness all over the face.

Subtype Two: Papulopustular rosacea, similar to acne, causes an acne-like flare-up, especially in women of middle age.

Subtype Three: Rhinophyma is an infrequent kind of rosacea that causes the skin on your nose to thicken, mostly in men, and is often accompanied by another rosacea subtype.

Subtype Four: Ocular rosacea breaks out in the areas surrounding the eye.

Treating Acne

There are simple ways to manage acne and prevent flaring up by restricting the production of oil on the skin and stimulating the shedding of dead skin to unclog pores. Here are a few treatment options you can try:

The Apple Cider Home Remedy

Unstrained apple peels or fermented apples produce apple cider vinegar. It contains organic citric acid that helps kill acne, especially papulopustular acne. Applying the apple cider vinegar to your skin when still wet after cleansing may help kill bacteria and fungi and unblock your pores.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a great way to get rid of blocked pores and acne scars. An expert dermatologist uses special chemicals to remove the superficial layer of your outermost skin. As it sheds off and new skin is regenerated, your skin’s pores unblock and smoother, softer, healthier skin is born. This process helps in clearing away acne and acne scars.

Using Antibiotics

Although acne is not an infection unless spots become infected, antibiotics help reduce the occasional flaring that may happen by reducing the number of bacteria on the skin, as well as offer relief for painful acne.

Managing Rosacea

Because the cause of rosacea is unknown, treatment is still neither here nor there. However, some methods could be effective in the management of the condition.

Lifestyle Changes

Living with rosacea can be frustrating. Changing the skincare products you use, including the soap you bathe with and the detergent you use on your clothes, to gentler products will help reduce the irritation your skin experiences. A dermatologist near you will advise you on the safest products to use. Using gentler make-up will help hide the redness as you go about your day. Watching what you eat will also help manage and clear rosacea. Eating foods with less acidity and avoiding tomatoes, nuts, legumes, and chocolates may also provide relief.

Using Antibiotic treatments

Drugs such as topical gels like Mirvaso help in tightening the blood vessels and subsequently clearing the redness on your skin. Antibiotics destroy bacteria growing on your skin, thus removing the inflammation and the redness. Over-the-counter creams and lotions can also keep mild rosacea less irritating.

Aloe Vera

Natural aloe vera sap is very gentle on the skin. It helps reduce inflammation, moisturizes, and kills bacteria. It is harvested from the inside of the leaf and applied directly to the skin. Most sunscreens and moisturizers use processed aloe vera gel as one of their main ingredients.

To get more help with either of these conditions in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group can provide advice, resources, and treatment options. Give us a call today!

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