What is the Difference Between Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris

Skin conditions can be caused by allergies, irritants, genetic makeup, certain diseases, and immune system problems. Acne rosacea and vulgaris are two common skin conditions that mainly affect the face. Both these conditions can cause acne formation. But they are different and have different aetiologies.

The key difference between acne rosacea and vulgaris is their symptoms. Acne rosacea causes flushing or long-term redness on the face, while acne vulgaris causes a mixed eruption of inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions on the face and other parts of the body.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acne Rosacea 
3. What is Acne Vulgaris
4. Similarities – Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris
5. Acne Rosacea vs Vulgaris in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Acne Rosacea vs Vulgaris
7. FAQ – Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris

What is Acne Rosacea?

Acne rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and bumps on the face. It can be seen mainly in the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Acne rosacea most often affects women and those with fair skin. Acne rosacea generally arises after 30 years of age. The typical symptoms of this condition include flushing, persistent redness on the face, bumps and pimples on the skin, and visible blood vessels on the skin. Acne rosacea could be due to genetics, an overactive immune system, or things in daily life.

Figure 01: Acne Rosacea

Acne rosacea can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for acne rosacea include using topical medicines to reduce bumps, pimples and redness caused by rosacea, laser therapy, and recommended surgery.

What is Acne Vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris is a condition characterized by pimples, blackheads, or acne that may break out on the skin. Acne vulgaris can affect the face, back, chest, neck, and shoulders. The symptoms of this condition may include whiteheads, blackheads, tender red bumps or papules, pustules with pus, and painful lumps beneath the skin called nodules and cystic lesions. Moreover, this condition can be caused by excess sebum, along with dead skin cells that clogs hair follicles.

Figure 02: Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and skin biopsy. Treatment options for acne vulgaris include over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids like adapalene, and salicylic acid. Prescription options include stronger topical retinoids, such as Retin-A and Tazorac, azelaic acid, topical or oral antibiotics, oral isotretinoin, birth control pills, and oral steroids.

Similarities Between Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris

1. Acne rosacea and vulgaris are two common skin conditions.
2. Both conditions are inflammatory conditions.
3. These conditions may cause acne formation.
4. Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy.
5. They can be treated by taking topical and oral medications.

Difference Between Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris

Definition

1. Acne rosacea is the flushing or redness of the facial skin.
2. Acne vulgaris is the formation of comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules on the facial skin and other parts of the body.

Common Places Affected

1. Acne rosacea can be mainly seen in the nose, cheeks, and forehead.
2. Acne vulgaris can be mainly seen in the face, back, chest, and shoulders.

People Affected

1. Acne rosacea is commonly observed in women after 30 years of age.
2. Acne vulgaris is commonly observed in people between the ages of 12 and 24.

Causes

1. Acne rosacea can be caused by genetics, an overactive immune system, or things in daily life.
2. Acne vulgaris can be caused by excess sebum, along with dead skin cells that clog hair follicles.

Symptoms

1. Symptoms of acne rosacea include flushing, persistent redness on the face, bumps and pimples on the skin, and visible blood vessels on the skin.
2. Symptoms of acne vulgaris include crusting of skin bumps, cysts, papules, pustules, redness around the skin, eruptions, scarring of the skin, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Diagnosis

1. Acne rosacea can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy.
2. Acne vulgaris can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and skin biopsy.

Treatment

1. Treatment options for acne rosacea include applying gels and other products such as brimonidine (Mirvaso) and oxymetazoline (Rhofade), oral antibiotics, oral anti-acne medications, laser therapy, and recommended surgery.
2. Treatment options for acne vulgaris include topical therapy, which commonly involves the use of topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and using oral isotretinoin, oral antibiotics, and oral hormonal therapies.

The following table summarizes the difference between acne rosacea and vulgaris.

Summary – Acne Rosacea vs Vulgaris

Skin conditions can be temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful. Some skin conditions can be life threatening. Acne rosacea and vulgaris are two common inflammatory skin conditions characterized by the formation of acne. Acne rosacea causes flushing or redness on the face or other parts of the body, including the eyes, while acne vulgaris causes papules, pustules, or nodules on the face and other parts of the body, which include upper arms, trunk, and back. This is the main difference between acne rosacea and vulgaris.

FAQ: Acne Rosacea and Vulgaris

1. What is the main cause of acne rosacea?

• The exact cause of acne rosacea is unknown. But it is believed to be caused by genetics, an overactive immune system, or things in the daily life. Moreover, this condition can be triggered by sun exposure, stress, strenuous exercise, hot or cold weather, hot drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods such as spicy foods.

2. What are the main symptoms of acne rosacea?

• The main symptoms of acne rosacea include facial redness, rashes on the skin, visible blood vessels on the skin, skin thickening, and eye irritation.

3. What is the main treatment for acne rosacea?

• The main treatments for acne rosacea include taking antibiotics like doxycycline (pills, gel or creams), applying brimonidine gel to reduce redness, applying creams or gels containing azelaic acid, ivermectin or metronidazole to minimize bumps and pimples, laser therapy, and surgical procedures.

4. What is the main cause of acne vulgaris?

• Acne vulgaris has genetic predisposition. Acne vulgaris develops when “sebum,” an oily substance that lubricates the hair and skin, and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Further, bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection, resulting in more severe acne vulgaris conditions.

5. How is acne vulgaris treated?

• Acne vulgaris is treated using topical benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, taking oral antibiotics or applying antibiotics containing gels, topical retinoids, oral isotretinoin, hormonal therapy, and steroid injections.

Reference:

1.  “All about Rosacea: Signs & Symptoms and Treatment.” Rosacea.Org.
2.  “Acne Vulgaris: Symptoms, Pictures, Treatments, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rosacea 01” By M. Sand, D. Sand, C. Thrandorf, V. Paech, P. Altmeyer, F. G. Bechara – M. Sand, D. Sand, C. Thrandorf, V. Paech, P. Altmeyer, F. G. Bechara: Cutaneous lesions of the nose. In: Head & face medicine Band 6, 2010, S. 7, ISSN 1746-160X. doi:10.1186/1746-160X-6-7. PMID 20525327.. (Review). Open Access (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Acne vulgaris on a very oily skin” By Roshu Bangal – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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