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Acne and rosacea
Acne rosacea may look very similar to common acne and often causes confusion. Millions of people are affected by acne rosacea, and it mostly strikes people over the age of 30. It will start to appear as a reddish rash on the cheeks, forehead, nose and/or chin. You may also notice small bumps, skin blemishes or pimples in the area. Blackheads are not a symptom of rosacea. You should consult your dermatologist if you suspect you have rosacea, because treatment is often very different.
It is not usually difficult to differentiate acne rosacea from true acne. The age of the acne sufferer is one clue.
Although adult onset acne is not uncommon, it is increasingly so after age thirty. The absence of comedones and the presence of fixed redness also speak in favor of acne rosacea.
Occasionally the acne part of acne rosacea appears only and is more prominent than the redness. Furthermore, is possible for patients with adult acne develop acne rosacea in their thirties, which may lead to a mistaken diagnosis of persistent adult acne.
Acne and rosacea often overlap, with many adults having a little bit of both - an acne component and a rosacea component.
For example, adults who have suffered on and off with acne for years may develop the flush/blush response associated with rosacea in their thirties.
The final picture is a red face studded with pustules, thanks to rosacea and occasional nodules, premenstrual flares, and blackheads, all signs of acne. Fortunately, most medications that treat and control acne are helpful for rosacea. However, because rosacea is associated with skin sensitivity, avoiding strong, potentially irritating acne medications is critical.
Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved over-the-counter drugs to treat rosacea or acne rosacea, only prescription medications. Because the exact cause of acne rosacea is unknown, a single medicine to treat it has yet to be found. And since the cost of developing and launching new drugs is extraordinarily high, drug companies do not seem to be in hot pursuit of novel therapies to address the needs of what is misperceived as a condition that affects a relatively small number of people.
Here are some other tips for treating acne rosacea:
- Even though acne rosacea is not a common acne, mild over-the-counter acne products may help counteract redness and breakouts.
- Use a mild soap, such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, which tests have shown to be the least irritating cleanser available. Dove soap may also be used. Mildly medicated cleansers with sulfur or 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide (such as Proactiv Solution Renewing Cleanser) used once daily may help combat the acne rosacea bacteria, a culprit in acne.
- It's best to apply cleanser with clean fingers rather than with an abrasive washcloth. Never wash more than twice a day. More frequent washing will result in dry, irritated skin from the stripping of the stratum corneum. Also remember to use tepid water to avoid stimulating and dilating facial blood vessels.
- Avoid isopropyl alcohol-based toners and aggressive scrubs.
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