Fun fact- Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is your primary protective barrier against the environment, and it is prone to a variety of diseases. Acne is the most common skin condition that many people suffer from. But how do you tell the difference between acne and other similarly presenting skin conditions? In this article, we will explore a variety of skin related diseases and see how to differentiate acne from other skin conditions.
How can I identify my acne?
There are different types of acne. It can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts. They commonly appear on your face, shoulders, chest, back, arms, legs (mainly thighs), and buttocks. Below is a list to help you identify the type of acne you might have.
Types of acne
- Whiteheads: Blocked hair follicles that present as white bumps under the skin
- Blackheads: Blocked hair follicles that present as black or yellowish bumps on the skin
- Papules: Small, red, inflamed bumps, often tender
- Pustules: Pimples with white or yellow pus at the tip
- Nodules: Large, painful, solid lumps that are deep in the skin
- Cysts: Large, painful, pus-filled lumps that look like boils
What skin conditions are confused with acne?
Before we start, do you know why it is important to identify if you have acne or something else? The main reason you should be concerned with finding out what you have is because acne is not particularly harmful or dangerous. The negative effects of acne are mostly from society. Individuals in a variety of social and professional scenarios have experienced some real or perceived negativity due to acne.
Whilst it is important to seek the help of a dermatologist to deal with acne, you should look out for indications that it might be some other skin condition mentioned below which needs to be dealt with more urgently.
Rosacea
Rosacea is probably the most common skin condition that is mistaken for acne. Rosacea appears as small red or pus-filled bumps that develop on the skin and gives the appearance of a chronic flush and lasting redness across the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Rosacea also causes a burning sensation, along with bumps, redness, and swelling in the eyes and eyelids. Symptoms can improve occasionally, but long-term treatment is advised for proper treatment of rosacea.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis occurs through inflammation and irritation of the hair follicles, which is the same way acne can be triggered. Folliculitis is mostly related to bacteria, but it is often triggered by yeast on the skin. It can occur anywhere there is a hair follicle, whilst acne is limited to the face, chest and back areas.
Folliculitis appears as red pimples with a hair in the centre of each one. They cause an itching and burning sensation and can sometimes have pus. Once the pimples break open, they may leak pus, blood or both. Folliculitis looks similar to acne because the bumps can contain white fluid due to a bacterial infection. But unlike in acne, this liquid is not sebum.
Staph Bacterial Infection
Staphylococcus (staph) is a bacterium that commonly lives on the skin’s surface. Infection from staph usually occurs when there is damage to the skin; for example cuts, burns, pores, or any other gap in the protective layer of the skin. This allows the staph bacteria to enter the skin, and causes inflammation and burning along with boils and lesions. The boils are what cause it to be mistaken for acne, but immediate medical attention is required in case of a staph infection.
The effects of the infection can range from mild to severe. It can cause folliculitis (mentioned above), cellulitis (a dangerous condition) and even impetigo (highly contagious and easily spreads through direct contact, or by touching contaminated objects such as towels, clothing, and toys.)
Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect that you may have a staph infection as the outcome could be dangerous if left untreated.
Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is caused by an excess of a protein called keratin in the hair follicles. It is a very common genetic skin condition that looks like acne and can be very difficult to treat. Due to its white filling, it is easily mistaken for acne.
When trying to identify keratosis pilaris vs acne, you need to study the appearance of the bumps and the location of the blemishes. For keratosis pilaris, you will tend to have dry rough bumps on the outer sides of the upper arms, face, thighs and buttocks. Acne can usually be found throughout your face, chest and back.
Whilst these are the most common skin conditions mistaken for acne, you should also look out for sebaceous hyperplasia (caused by enlarged or overactive sebaceous glands), steatocystoma multiplex (genetic), basal cell carcinoma (BCC– a common type of skin cancer), and peri-orifical dermatitis (caused by adverse reactions to topical lotions, toothpaste and other hormonal changes).
How to prevent skin disease and their long-term negative effects?
With all the information available online, and with the help of medical AI, many people believe that it is possible to accurately determine the nature of their skin conditions at home. We recommend that you seek the help of a professional to know exactly what you are dealing with before it’s too late. Many people who self-diagnose and treat skin conditions believing them to be acne, face trouble later on when it turns out to be something else.
Follow the steps below to keep your skin safe from unwanted skin conditions, and reduce symptoms until you can seek medical help.
Keep clean – Keep your skin clean and free of lingering bacteria. Change out of sweaty clothing as soon as possible and regularly clean your towels and bed linen.
Avoid using cosmetic skincare products when you have a skin condition – In many cases, the ingredients of cosmetic skincare products can irritate and worsen skin conditions.
Avoid triggers – If you have identified that the skin conditions worsen after using certain products or eating certain foods, try to avoid them to prevent aggravation of existing conditions.
Always use sunscreen – It is recommended to use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher when in Australia. (Read more about the importance of using sunscreen in Australia here)
Healthy skin, healthy life.
Having great skin is key to a happy and healthy life. Protect yourself and your skin by taking action today. Book your online consultation, and let our experts provide you with the right care and protection for your skin.
FAQs
How can I tell if my skin problem is acne or something else?
Acne usually appears as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts, mostly on the face, chest, back, shoulders, and sometimes thighs and buttocks. Other skin conditions are rosacea, folliculitis, or keratosis pilaris that look similar to acne but have different causes and symptoms.
If it is persistent, painful, or spreading in unusual ways, it may be another condition that requires different treatment.
Why is my “acne” treatment not working? Could it be a different skin condition?
If you tried the standard acne treatments (like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or prescription medications) and don’t see an improvement, you are probably dealing with a different condition.
Some skin conditions, such as folliculitis (caused by bacteria or yeast) and rosacea (a chronic inflammatory skin condition), require completely different treatments. See a dermatologist to help identify the correct cause and the right treatment.
What does rosacea look like compared to acne?
Rosacea causes red, inflamed bumps and sometimes pustules that can be mistaken for acne. However, it also comes with persistent facial redness, visible blood vessels, and a burning or stinging sensation.
Rosacea isn’t caused by clogged pores but by skin sensitivity and inflammation. Spicy foods, alcohol, or temperature changes can aggravate and worsen rosacea considerably.
Can a bacterial infection look like acne?
Yes. Bacterial infections like staph or impetigo can cause red, pus-filled bumps that resemble acne. Bacterial infections often need medical treatment, such as antibiotics, to prevent complications. If your skin is inflamed and painful beyond typical breakouts, seek medical attention.
Why do I have tiny bumps on my arms and thighs that won’t go away?
If you have rough, tiny bumps on your upper arms, thighs, or buttocks that don’t respond to acne treatments, you might have keratosis pilaris. This condition is caused by excess keratin blocking hair follicles, leading to dry, bumpy skin. It’s harmless but can be improved with moisturizers and gentle exfoliation.
When should I see a doctor for acne or other skin problems?
You should see a dermatologist if:
- Your skin condition affects your confidence and quality of life.
- Your condition doesn’t respond to over-the-counter acne treatments.
- Your breakouts are more painful and inflamed than acne, and if it starts spreading.
- You experience other symptoms like redness, burning, or itching.
- You suspect you could have a bacterial infection.
