Acne or Rosacea: Know Which One You're Fighting

Had a bad breakout of bumps on your cheeks and chin that just won't go away? Experiencing a lot of redness? What you're dealing with could be a very common skin ailment, Type 2 rosacea — not acne — and your course of treatment could be making the problem worse. So how can you tell the difference?

Are you fair-skinned and female? Rosacea can happen to anyone, but it's extremely common in those with paler complexions and three times more common in women than in men.

Do you have any visible veins in your face? If you can see little red veins in the skin on your cheeks, nose, or chin, you may have telangiectasias, a symptom of rosacea.

What do your bumps look like? Rosacea bumps are larger, but have no visible fluid. They never come to a head, but can stay on the skin for about a week.

Is your skin ruddy? If you've got very red cheeks, you flush frequently, or just generally experience a great deal of skin redness, you may have rosacea.

Do you have a lot of eye irritation or dryness? About half of all people with rosacea also experience eye irritation, so if you have some of the other factors listed here as well as frequent dry eyes, rosacea could be the culprit.