How do I know if I have rosacea or eczema?

Modified on Thu, 27 Oct, 2022 at 3:13 PM

Rosacea is caused by underlying dilation and inflammation of the blood vessels below the skin. Its characterised by semi permanent or frequent flares of red and sensitive skin on the cheeks, nose and central forehead areas. It can also be accompanied by crops of small pustules in the affected areas.

Seborrheic dermatitis or eczema is caused by a malfunction on skin barrier function, which allows moisture to escape more easily leaving the skin dry, inflamed and itchy. This type of skin often cracks open in small areas and might get quite red if external bacteria has got in to the open wounds.

The main difference between the two is that eczema is itchy and rosacea often comes with pustules. Rosacea is often redder than eczema, although eczema can become red if it gets infected. Rosacea only tends to appear on the areas discussed above where as eczema can appear anywhere on the body. On the facial area its tends to appear along the hair line, in the eyebrows and around the eyes, in the cracks of the nose, on the neck and behind the ears.