Your skin is red, irritated, and inflamed — and it’s breaking out in a rash of bumps. Do you have acne or could it be eczema? For as similar as these two common skin conditions may initially appear, their many differences hold the key to proper care.
The first step toward calmer, clearer skin? An expert evaluation at Keehan Dermatology. Here, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patrick Keehan explains how acne differs from eczema, and how the unique characteristics of your specific skin issue shape your treatment plan.
Acne and eczema are two of the most common skin conditions in the United States: about 50 million people experience acne each year, and nearly 32 million Americans live with eczema. Both conditions can affect virtually anyone and emerge at any age, leading to:
Both acne and eczema can be worsened by stress, diet, and the wrong skincare approach — just as both can also benefit from lifestyle changes and expert dermatological care.
It’s easy to see how, at first glance, acne might be confused for eczema and vice versa. However, these two conditions diverge in several significant ways, including:
Acne happens when pores on your skin surface become clogged with excess oils (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria, triggering the breakout of pus-filled lesions. An acne breakout cycle typically takes four weeks from emergence to clearance.
Eczema occurs when an immune system overreaction to a minor skin irritant — like wind or sweat — triggers an inflammatory response that weakens the skin barrier, causing increased irritation and sensitivity along with red, raised bumps and/or dry, itchy patches.
Almost anyone can get acne, including infants (although baby acne is typically brief and self-resolving). The typical age of onset for the condition is adolescence, when hormonal changes trigger an increased production in sebum. Acne continues to be common in early adulthood and even middle age — especially among women.
Eczema typically emerges during infancy or early childhood. Childhood eczema may go away on its own, or it may persist into adulthood. It can also appear to go away, only to reemerge years later. Even though most adults with eczema first developed it when they were very young, adult-onset eczema is also possible.
While acne breakouts can be triggered by a pro-inflammatory diet (i.e., sugar) and stress, the primary trigger of clogged pores is excess oil, which often stems from hormonal changes. Acne can be worsened by pore-clogging skincare products.
Most eczema flares are triggered by contact with skin irritants (i.e., fragrant soaps, harsh detergent residues, itchy fabrics, sunlight, cold wind). Stress and harsh skincare products can trigger or worsen eczema flares, too.
Both acne and eczema are associated with inflammatory breakouts of red or discolored bumps, but acne lesions can vary in appearance, from a simple “pimple” or “zit” to blackheads, whiteheads, papules, nodules, and deeply painful cysts.
Eczema may appear as itchy, raised rashes, dry, scaly patches, flaky or crusty skin, and even lead to “weeping” blisters (a sign of infection) that ooze fluid.
A key difference between these two conditions is the eczema itch — the dryness and irritation of eczema give rise to persistent itchiness that can be very hard not to scratch, increasing the chances of skin damage and infection.
While acne isn’t itchy, many people have the urge to pick at the lesions — a habit that can increase the likelihood of skin damage, infection, and even scarring once the lesion heals.
Acne breakouts typically appear on the face — especially on the cheeks, forehead, and chin. They’re also common on the upper body, including the chest, shoulders, and back.
Eczema can emerge on any skin area. It often appears on the cheeks, forehead, and scalp during infancy and early childhood. In later childhood, it’s more likely to appear on the inner elbows or behind the knees. Adult eczema often affects the back of the neck and the face, particularly around the eyes.
Although medical interventions, careful skincare, and lifestyle changes may be part of managing both acne and eczema, each treatment approach is guided by unique goals.
With acne, the main goal is to clear pores by reducing oil production and bacteria; with eczema, the goal is to fortify skin barrier function while minimizing contact with triggers.
Are you ready for clearer, calmer skin? An accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan based on the unique characteristics of your skin issue is the first step. To find out how we can help, schedule a consultation at Keehan Dermatology in Fort Worth, Texas, today.
