Skin Conditions that Mimic Acne

When you have a skin condition and think it's acne you want to make sure you know what the condition is. There are a number of conditions that mimic acne and you need to know what you have so you can pursue the proper treatment.

The skin conditions that mimic acne are:

Rosacea
This skin condition is very similar to acne as depicted by pimples in the middle of the face with redness, flushing and even superficial blood vessels. This is a skin ailment that interferes with the lives of people in their 30's and 40's and in some cases even older. In some instances, telling Rosacea from acne is almost impossible. However, there are no whiteheads or blackheads in Rosacea.

Pseudofolliculitis
This condition is caused by shaving as it is also called "razor bumps or razor rash" As the razor blade slides across the skin cutting the hair close to the skin, curly hairs bend under the skin and cause pimples. Since this condition is not cause by bacteria thus making it a mechanical problem this calls for shaving less and looking for alternative ways to trimming facial and neck hair. People with acne can also have Pseudofolliculitis.

Folliculitis
Pimples occur not only on the face but on your chest, back, legs, even the buttocks. These are inflamed follicles and are not signs of acne. To solve this skin condition "if the inflamed follicles do not go away on their own" see a dermatologist where antibiotics can be prescribed, usually different antibiotics than prescribed for acne.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis
This condition is found within those patients who have been on antibiotics for long periods of time. What happens is pustules filled with bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics previously used. A dermatologist can run a culture test and figure out which antibiotics will kill these resistant germs.

Pyoderma Faciale
This skin disorder is also called rosacea fulmimians. This is acute with onset and most commonly affects younger to middle aged females with or without prior existing skin disorders. The depiction for this condition is large erythemayous papules and pustules with nodules. Comedones (blackheads) are absent. The tranquil skin is uninvolved and there are no systemic symptoms.

Condition Treatment: A dermatologist will start you on a systemic corticosteroid regimen for a month before taking the next step which is using Isotretinoin. The average dose is between 120-150mg/kg. When beginning the use of Isotretinoin, the continuous use of corticosteroids should be slowly tapered as you continue through the course of treatment.

Pityrosporum Folliculitis (Malassezia Folliculitis)
Traditionally found upon the chest and back also mimics truncal vulgaris. Inflamed pustules are present as there are no comedones or nodules present, however the lesions may give a sensation to itch. Through KOH examinations; the presences of yeast and hyphal structures of Malassezzia furfur are found. Scientific studies must be conducted to determine the contents of yeast in the follicle.

A dermatologist would suggest a topical treatment with the use of selenium sulfide and or azole agents could be affective as well. In such a case whereas the topical regiment fails, a systemic itraconazole or ketoconazole could be used.

Demodex Folliculitis
With this skin condition, mites are present in an average skin biopsy and could cause an inflammatory reaction with folliculitis in some cases. This is a skin situation that the elderly in particular have to content with unlike acne vulgaris. Follicular papules and pustules will likely be located around the face near the hair line and are commonly itchy. Comedones (blackheads) will not be present.

As you see it is important to validate a skin condition since there are a number of conditions that can mimic acne. It is important to know so the proper treatment can be followed.

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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd'><html><head><title>Articles Back Link | Skin Conditions that Mimic Acne</title></head><body><h3>Skin Conditions that Mimic Acne</h3><br><br> By: Bill Wynne<br><br><p><p>When you have a skin condition and think it's acne you want to make sure you know what the condition is. There are a number of conditions that mimic acne and you need to know what you have so you can pursue the proper treatment.</P><p>The skin conditions that mimic acne are:</P><p>Rosacea<br>This skin condition is very similar to acne as depicted by pimples in the middle of the face with redness, flushing and even superficial blood vessels. This is a skin ailment that interferes with the lives of people in their 30's and 40's and in some cases even older. In some instances, telling Rosacea from acne is almost impossible. However, there are no whiteheads or blackheads in Rosacea.</P><p>Pseudofolliculitis<br>This condition is caused by shaving as it is also called "razor bumps or razor rash" As the razor blade slides across the skin cutting the hair close to the skin, curly hairs bend under the skin and cause pimples. Since this condition is not cause by bacteria thus making it a mechanical problem this calls for shaving less and looking for alternative ways to trimming facial and neck hair. People with acne can also have Pseudofolliculitis.</P><p>Folliculitis<br>Pimples occur not only on the face but on your chest, back, legs, even the buttocks. These are inflamed follicles and are not signs of acne. To solve this skin condition "if the inflamed follicles do not go away on their own" see a dermatologist where antibiotics can be prescribed, usually different antibiotics than prescribed for acne.</P><p>Gram-Negative Folliculitis<br>This condition is found within those patients who have been on antibiotics for long periods of time. What happens is pustules filled with bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics previously used. A dermatologist can run a culture test and figure out which antibiotics will kill these resistant germs.</P><p>Pyoderma Faciale<br>This skin disorder is also called rosacea fulmimians. This is acute with onset and most commonly affects younger to middle aged females with or without prior existing skin disorders. The depiction for this condition is large erythemayous papules and pustules with nodules. Comedones (blackheads) are absent. The tranquil skin is uninvolved and there are no systemic symptoms.</P><p>Condition Treatment: A dermatologist will start you on a systemic corticosteroid regimen for a month before taking the next step which is using Isotretinoin. The average dose is between 120-150mg/kg. When beginning the use of Isotretinoin, the continuous use of corticosteroids should be slowly tapered as you continue through the course of treatment.</P><p>Pityrosporum Folliculitis (Malassezia Folliculitis)<br>Traditionally found upon the chest and back also mimics truncal vulgaris. Inflamed pustules are present as there are no comedones or nodules present, however the lesions may give a sensation to itch. Through KOH examinations; the presences of yeast and hyphal structures of Malassezzia furfur are found. Scientific studies must be conducted to determine the contents of yeast in the follicle.</P><p>A dermatologist would suggest a topical treatment with the use of selenium sulfide and or azole agents could be affective as well. In such a case whereas the topical regiment fails, a systemic itraconazole or ketoconazole could be used.</P><p>Demodex Folliculitis<br>With this skin condition, mites are present in an average skin biopsy and could cause an inflammatory reaction with folliculitis in some cases. This is a skin situation that the elderly in particular have to content with unlike acne vulgaris. Follicular papules and pustules will likely be located around the face near the hair line and are commonly itchy. Comedones (blackheads) will not be present.</P><p>As you see it is important to validate a skin condition since there are a number of conditions that can mimic acne. It is important to know so the proper treatment can be followed.<br></P></p> <br><br> <b>Author Resource:-></b>  <br><br><b>Article From</b> <a href='http://www.articlesbacklink.com/'>Articles Back Link</a><br></body></html>