How to tell the difference between acne and other skin problems

There are many skin conditions that resemble acne, and it can be very difficult to know for sure what you are dealing with. Dermatologists Dr Jill Waibel and Dr Tsippora Shainhouse weigh in on some of the skin conditions commonly mistaken for acne.

Rosacea

Rosacea is the most common skin condition mistaken for acne. Rosacea causes small red or pus-filled bumps to develop on the skin and leaves the face with the appearance of a chronic flush and persistent redness across the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Those suffering from rosacea also describe a burning sensation associated with the bumps and redness and swelling in the eyes and eyelids. While there may be times when symptoms improve, long-term treatment is usually necessary for treating rosacea.

Some of the ways to treat rosacea medically include applying topical treatments to your skin once or twice a day, such as metronidazole cream or gel, azelaic cream or gel, and ivermectin cream. If you have severe rosacea, your doctor may recommend treating with antibiotics.

Other ways of improving rosacea include:

• Avoiding triggers.

• Using a mild cleanser on your face.

• Using only your fingertips to apply cleansers or lotions.

• Rinsing with lukewarm or cool water.

• Gently patting your face with a soft, clean towel.

• Applying sunscreen when outdoors.

• Covering up your face in direct sunlight.

Additionally, some doctors may choose to treat the redness with laser or light therapy.

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Acne

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Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is a very common genetic skin condition that looks like acne and can be very difficult to treat. The main differences between keratosis pilaris and acne, says Waibel, are the appearance of the bumps and the location of the blemishes. People who experience this condition have dry rough bumps on the outer sides of the upper arms, face, thighs and buttocks. Acne, on the other hand, is found throughout your face, chest and back.

These bumps are caused because of an excess of a protein called keratin in the openings of the hair follicles, and due to their white filling, they can look just like acne pustules. But Waibel explains that acne spots are instead filled with an oily substance called sebum.

"While it does tend to improve with age, keratosis pilaris can be managed with moisturisers and topical exfoliators, including alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic, lactic, or glycolic acids)," explains Shainhouse. But, if those don't help, she recommends talking to your doctor about a prescription retinoid.

Waibel recommends applying a corticosteroid cream on the affected area twice a day for seven days maximum to help reduce the bumps, along with exfoliating two to three times a week. But she says it's important to know that while the condition could become up to 80% better, it will never go away completely.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is caused by inflammation and irritation of the hair follicles, which is the same way acne can be triggered. Shainhouse says that sometimes folliculitis is related to bacteria, similar to acne, but often, it is triggered by yeast on the skin.

Folliculitis usually looks like red pimples with a hair in the centre of each one. The pimples may have pus in them and they may itch or burn. When the pimples break open, they may drain pus, blood or both. Folliculitis looks similar to acne because the bumps can have white filling in the lesion due to a bacterial infection; but it is not sebum, which is what you see with acne.

Waibel says another key difference between acne and folliculitis is the location: folliculitis can be anywhere there is a hair follicle, whereas, acne is only located on your face, chest, or back.

It's important to see your doctor if you think you might have folliculitis. Then, depending on the severity of the infection, you may be prescribed a cream medication. If the infection is extreme, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.

Prevention is better than cure, though. And the best ways to avoid folliculitis, according to Shainhouse, include: changing out of sweaty clothing as soon as possible, showering or wiping down with salicylic acid-based wipes after a workout, and trying an anti-yeast wash in the shower.

Sebaceous hyperplasia

Sebaceous hyperplasia is flesh (or pinky-yellow) coloured small bumps that can develop on the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.

"They are actually enlarged oil glands in the skin, and sometimes you can even squeeze oil out of them," explains Shainhouse. But they are not caused by oily skin, and, as Shainhouse says, they are also not the cause of oily skin.

She says that because sebaceous hyperplasia is inherited, you can't prevent it. The bumps can be flattened during a process called electrocautery so they are not as apparent and can be easily covered by make-up, but this treatment is not available on the NHS.

Periorificial dermatitis

"Periorificial dermatitis is an acne-like eruption that tends to develop in women and children, and presents with persistent pink bumps around the facial openings (eyes, nose, and mouth)," says Shainhouse. "This condition can last for months or even years if not properly treated," she adds.

And if you do have this condition, Shainhouse says your doctor will prescribe antibiotic creams and tablets, as well as anti-inflammatory medicine that will clear the breakout. But be prepared to wait at least a month or more for it to clear completely.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinomas are slow growing-skin cancers that derive from the base layer of the epidermis. They are usually caused by excessive UV exposure.

Shainhouse explains: "They look like shiny, translucent or pink bumps with tiny blood vessels, and they often have a cycle of bleeding, then healing almost completely, then bleeding again. But they never heal up."

She says they can be mistaken for a persistent/recurrent picked acne cyst, and if you do have a lesion that just doesn't heal after a month or two, see your dermatologist for evaluation.

Both dermatologists stress the importance of following up with your doctor regarding any questions you may have about your skin and the recommended treatment options available to you.