Understanding Between Eczema and Acne: Identifying the Distinctions
Eczema and acne are two common skin conditions that often affect millions of people in the United States. While they can coexist, they typically appear on different parts of the body.
Acne, which affects nearly 50 million Americans each year, is often caused by an excess of sebum, a natural oil produced by the skin, that can clog pores and result in breakouts. Common triggers of acne include stress, hormones, certain foods, sensitivity to ingredients in skin care or beauty products, sweating, dead skin buildup, bacteria, certain medications, and genetics.
Acne can manifest as pimples, cysts, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, and appears most often on the face, neck, chest, back, or shoulders but can appear anywhere. There's no cure for acne, but it can often be treated with the right skin care routine, medication, or diet and lifestyle changes. Treatment options include developing a skin care routine, using the right products, reducing stress, avoiding acne-triggering foods, using spot treatments, retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, zinc, tea tree oil, witch hazel, vitamin D, lysine, antibiotics, birth control pills, hormonal treatments, azelaic acid, isotretinoin capsules, prescription retinoids, prescription salicylic acid, and prescription benzoyl peroxide.
Eczema, on the other hand, is a skin condition affecting nearly 31 million people in the U.S. Eczema flare-ups can occur anywhere and everywhere on the body. Common symptoms include dry patches, itching, swelling, redness, rough or scaly texture, soreness, blisters, bumps that look like zits, and appearing anywhere on the body. If both acne and eczema occur on the same body part, each will often claim a specific area, such as eczema affecting eyelids while acne appears on the forehead and chin.
The prevalence of eczema (atopic dermatitis) in the United States is approximately 10-20% among children and about 3% among adults. Eczema treatment options include corticosteroids, nonsteroidal creams, antihistamines, moisturizers, light therapy, meditation, aloe, oatmeal baths, gentle exfoliation, dietary changes, using less harsh products, and avoiding triggers. Like acne, there's no cure for eczema, but its symptoms can be treated and managed.
It's very rare for both acne and eczema to occur in the exact same spot at the same time due to their preference for different skin conditions - acne thriving in oily skin and eczema in dry skin. However, prevention of both conditions involves similar practices such as identifying triggers, getting plenty of HO, keeping skin moisturized, developing regular skin care routines, avoiding common triggers, using gentle or allergen-free soaps and detergents, showering right after workouts, avoiding hot water, using unscented products, taking probiotics or eating probiotic-rich foods, eating foods rich in omega-3s, and talking with a doctor or dermatologist for guidance if prevention is difficult.
