Is Your Acne Rosacea?
There are various types of skin conditions that we can get from time to time; among them, acne and rosacea are two of the most common. Unfortunately, these two conditions are often mistaken for one another; adding to this confusion is the fact that subtype 2 rosacea has often been referred to as “acne rosacea” through the years. You might have red bumps on your face that could be acne or rosacea, but how can you tell which one it is? Cliffside Park dermatology center and the following tips can help.
Examine Your Bumps Closely
A lot of people think that rosacea is only identifiable by a red flush but that is not the case; in fact, subtype 2 rosacea often leads to red bumps that are painful and resemble acne. In order to determine whether this is rosacea or acne is to look for comedones which can be open or closed. Comedones are visibly clogged pores that are not inflamed at all so they are not swollen, painful, or even red, distinguishing them to a great degree form rosacea. An open comedone is basically a blackhead or a pore filled with a small black dot; whereas, a closed comedone, on the other hand, is typically white in the middle with a layer of skin over the top. If you see comedones, it is most like acne. Although, it can be much more difficult to figure out which of the two conditions you have if you are showing bumps that are inflamed since they can be caused by both conditions.
What Are Your Triggers?
Knowing your triggers can help you to determine what you are dealing with. Although rosacea triggers are different from person to person, some of the most common things that they include are sunlight, heat, cold, stress, strong emotions, alcohol, hot beverages, and spicy foods. You will want to avoid rough skin-care products to treat rosacea since your skin will be especially sensitive and it causes more severe flare-ups. Some common triggers for acne include hormonal fluctuations, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Certain medications and hormone-replacement therapy are also known to lead to acne. One way to distinguish both types of triggers is to keep in mind that triggers for rosacea tend to be external, whereas triggers for acne tend to be internal.
Your Age Matters
Anyone who has ever had acne during puberty knows that your age has a lot to do with it. The thing is that your hormonal changes cause it to happen. Rosea, on the other hand, tends to happen after age 30. Another thing to consider is that acne can surface anywhere on your body but Rosea usually appears on the center of an individual’s face. To further complicate matters, you can have both at the same time!
Overlapping Treatments
We know that some of the symptoms that you are experiencing might point to Rosacea while others point to acne because this is not uncommon at all. Your dermatologist will be your best ally when it comes to properly treat what you are actually dealing with. You might be amazed to find out that treatments for both conditions often overlap. For example, azelaic acid can be utilized for the effective treatment of both acne and rosacea.
Change Your Behavior
If you cannot determine exactly what triggers your rosacea or acne, your dermatologist should be able to help you. Once you know your triggers, you can modify your behavior so that you experience fewer flare-ups. Do not expect immediate results but as you continue with your new behavior this should help considerably. Your dermatologist can also suggest preventative, over-the-counter products that can help you to better manage flare-ups. In the end, you should be able to avoid both rosacea and acne to a greater extent than before. If, for any reason, it does not work out that way, remember that you can always go back to your dermatologist for more help. You have to be patient because finding exactly what works for you can take some time, but you will get there!
Click here https://cliffsideskinandlaser.com for more information.