Acne Vulgaris verses Rosacea: What's the Difference

• Acne Home
• Natural & Herbal Acne Remedies
  • Home Made Acne Remedies
  • Herbal Acne Remedies
• Natural Acne Skin Care
  • Acne Remedies
    • Herbal Products for Acne
• Acne Library
  • Diet & Acne
  • Acne News & Articles
• Herbal Acne Products

Clinically Diagnosing Acne Vulgaris vs Rosacea: What's the Difference?

Posted 02/17/2009 by Hilary Baldwin, MD

Question
What is the difference between acne vulgaris and acne rosacea?

Response from Hilary Baldwin, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York

Acne and rosacea are 2 of the most common skin disorders. They share in common the presence of papules and pustules on the face, a situation that can lead to misdiagnosis by those not familiar with the full spectrum of the diseases. However, their differences are more numerous and pronounced than their similarities.[1,2]

Patients with acne tend to have oily skin. Comedones are common. In more severe cases, patients develop cysts and nodules that may heal leaving scars. Lesions are frequently seen on the chest, back, and upper arms as well as the face. The patients are generally younger than those with rosacea -- most commonly adolescents.

Rosacea typically begins after the age of 30 years and peaks between 40 and 50 years of age. Lesions are usually limited to the central face, although lesions of the back, chest, and scalp may rarely be noted. Comedones are absent and scarring is rarely seen. Rosacea is commonly associated with diffuse erythema and flushing and blushing. There may be prominent telangiectasias, phyma formation, and ocular involvement.[2]

References

1. Wolf JE. Acne and Rosacea: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment in the Primary Care Setting. Available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/2032_pnt. Accessed February 13, 2009.
2. Powell FC. Clinical practice. Rosacea. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:793-803.