Difference between Rosacea, Dermatitis and Acne
The skin is a tough and yet vulnerable organ that covers the entire body. Serving as the first line of defense against contaminants that can be harmful to physical health, the skin is subject to numerous attacks, of which rosacea, dermatitis, and acne are some of the most common. What are these conditions? Let's take a look!
Definition
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that typically appears on the face as erythema or redness. In some cases, the patient may also experience an outbreak of pimples. The condition is generally harmless, unless it involves the eyes. Treatment procedures for rosacea typically involve topical drugs that aim to reduce inflammation.
Dermatitis is simply the inflammation of the skin, which commonly manifests itself as a rash.
Acne is a very common condition that almost everyone has experienced at one time or another, and it is characterized by patches of the skin breaking out in seborrhea or scaly red skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and various other types of skin abnormalities. In severe cases of acne, scarring may result.
Who It Affects
Rosacea is most commonly seen in people of northwestern European origin, and the condition has in fact been called ‘the curse of the Celts'’ in Britain and Ireland. The truth, however, is that rosacea can attack people of other races. And while women are three times as likely to get rosacea as men, the condition can occur in both sexes as well.
Dermatitis is quite a common condition, and cases are on the rise all over the world. The condition can affect both men and women, while people who live in urban areas with relatively low humidity levels are particularly prone.
Acne most often occurs in pubescent children and adolescents, and it may last until adulthood. The condition is caused mainly by the increase of sex hormones that occurs during this age.
Symptoms
Rosacea starts out as a bit of redness on the face along the cheeks, the nose, and the forehead. In some cases, the condition can also affect the patient's neck, chest, ears, and scalp. The common rosacea symptoms are constant redness of the affected area, dilation of blood vessels, small red bumps, and a burning sensation.
The symptoms of dermatitis tend to vary by a wide margin, with anything from slight rashes to more severe bumps and even blisters. Nevertheless, all cases of dermatitis result in redness, swelling, itching and possibly even lesions.
Acne is quite easy to diagnose, as its characteristic signs are pretty hard to miss, among them, red scaly skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and more.
Similarities and Differences
Rosacea
- A chronic skin condition that typically appears on the face as erythema
- Treatment procedures for rosacea typically involve topical drugs that aim to reduce inflammation
Dermatitis
- The inflammation of the skin, which commonly manifests itself as a rash
Acne
- Characterized by patches of the skin breaking out in seborrhea or scaly red skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and various other types of skin abnormalities
