Overview
The skin disorders acne and rosacea often look the same. Both cause redness, swelling and inflammation, and both cause pimples. But acne, which potentially affects 50 million Americans at any one time, mainly affects teens and young adults, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Rosacea plagues about 14 million adults between ages 30 to 50, the AAD says. Still, while the skin disorders are different, they share many of the same treatments.
Acne Development
Acne results when three factors in the skin go awry, according to the Mayo Clinic. First, unbalanced hormones or hormonal surges drive the skin to produce too much oil. Next, this oil combines with dead skin cells to form a pasty white substance that clogs pores and hair follicles. And finally, bacteria grows rapidly in the oil and behind the clogged pores. As a result, the skin gets inflamed and infected, and pimples erupt.
Rosacea Development
The cause of rosacea isn’t well understood, but heredity and skin type likely play a role, the AAD says. People with fair skin and blue eyes are more likely to get rosacea. The first symptom of rosacea often is flushing or blushing, and this then progresses to redness on the face and other skin locations. The skin disorder also can cause small pimples along with swelling and a sunburn-like look, which is why it’s often confused with acne.
Treatments
Although rosacea and acne seem to have different causes, the treatments for the two skin conditions overlap significantly, according to the AAD. In both conditions, dermatologists often start treatment with prescription creams that contain the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide—a mainstay of acne treatment—and an antimicrobial agent such as erythromycin. Next, your dermatologist might prescribe a topical cream or gel containing tretinoin, a retinoid that works well in acne and rosacea to calm skin and reduce irritation. If a more potent medication is needed for either acne or rosacea treatment, dermatologists often will turn to isotretinoin, an oral medication that’s very effective in curbing both skin conditions. Isotretinoin, however, cannot be taken during pregnancy due to the risk of severe birth defects. Women of child-bearing age must be on two forms of birth control in order to use this medication.
Laser Therapy
Certain procedures offered by dermatologists are finding favor among both acne and rosacea sufferers, even though their effectiveness hasn’t been definitively proven, the AAD says. For example, dermatologists use laser therapy to treat the visible blood vessels and redness common in rosacea patients. Laser therapy also helps to curb skin oil production in acne sufferers, and several treatments can curb acne for six months or more. Pulsed light therapy also is effective in both acne and rosacea treatment, the AAD says.
Considerations
Acne and rosacea look very similar, and it’s not always simple to tell one from the other, the AAD warns. In fact, rosacea often is called “adult acne” because it is mistaken for acne, and also can be mistaken for sunburn. Dermatologists offer effective treatments for both acne and rosacea, but some acne treatments such as chemical acid peels actually can worsen rosacea, so it’s important to distinguish between the two conditions. The AAD recommends consulting a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for either acne or rosacea.
About this Author
J.M. Andrews has been a professional freelance journalist for nearly two decades. She specializes in health and medical content for both consumers and professionals, but over the course of her career has written about a wide range of subjects, from science to recreation. She has written for eHow and for the magazine “Young Physicians.”
