Do I Have Eczema or Rosacea?

Eczema and rosacea can present very similarly, making it difficult to diagnose which condition you’re experiencing. If you are having chronic skin inflammation, keeping a record of your symptoms and potential triggers can help you and your dermatologist determine which condition is causing it.  

At Leading Edge Dermatology with locations in Plantation and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Julian and our team offer both adult dermatological and pediatric dermatological services.  We can help differentiate between rosacea and eczema and find solutions to your skin problems.

Eczema vs. Rosacea 

Assessing symptoms in order to come to a diagnosis can be difficult when it comes to similar rashes. Fortunately, a trained eye can recognize the subtle distinctions between eczema and rosacea.      

Eczema  

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition common in children. Adults can also experience outbreaks throughout their lives, though the exact cause can vary from person to person. The appearance of the rash can range from barely visible to extremely obvious due to changes in skin color and texture. Symptoms include:

• Dry, itchy skin 
• Scaling or cracking
• Inflammation 
• Oozing blisters
• Lichenification 

Lichenification is a hardening of the skin caused by excessive scratching. This commonly occurs alongside erythema, or skin discoloration. You may notice eczema all over your body, or limited to certain areas. 

Eczema usually flares up, then subsides for a time before something triggers another flare event. Keep track of your flare-ups in a journal as this can help you identify potential triggers and remove them from your environment. 

Rosacea 

Rosacea tends to affect the face most noticeably, causing an intense blush. You may even notice visible blood vessels underneath the surface of the skin. This flushing, often described as ‘slapped cheeks’ is one way to tell eczema from rosacea, as eczema doesn’t typically cause bright red cheeks.

Aside from the flushing, certain stages of rosacea can look like eczema. Advanced rosacea can spread beyond the face and cause fluid-filled blisters, which can resemble those caused by eczema. However, there is typically no lichenification or scaling of the skin.

Getting the right diagnosis 

While eczema and rosacea may look like similar skin conditions, they require different approaches when it comes to treatment. For example, eczema can improve after application of corticosteroids, while rosacea can worsen. 

At Leading Edge Dermatology, we diagnose your skin condition using skin biopsies and patch tests. Once we know for certain what’s causing your skin irritation, we can begin recommending lifestyle changes and treatments that can help. 

Gentle cleansing and moisturizing can repair your skin barrier, preventing infections. We may give you a topical ointment or cream to help with dryness or itching, and we can recommend many over-the-counter products for eczema and rosacea. Staying out of the sun can help, as can avoiding inflammatory foods. 

To learn more about these common skin conditions and begin building your treatment plan, schedule a consultation with the team at Leading Edge Dermatology. Visit our contact page to learn more about locations near you, or request an appointment online.