If you have ever had acne or developed a cold sore, you know the physical and emotional stress that can result. Fortunately, you are not alone. According to information on acne by the Food and Drug Administration, about 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 have outbreaks of acne at some point. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that well over 500,000 people "catch" cold sores each year.
Descriptions
Acne is a skin disease that causes pimples and is typically more common in adolescence but can also be found in adults and children. Acne forms when hair follicles just below your skin's surface get plugged up. Unlike cold sores, acne is not caused by a virus, although bacteria may be involved. According to an article on cold sores by the Mayo Clinic, cold sores are a result of a viral infection with herpes simplex virus 1. Much like acne, it may appear on the face--more typically the mouth area--but unlike acne, it is contagious and generally causes more pain and discomfort.
Causes
According to an article on acne by Medicine Plus, no one knows exactly what causes acne, but certain factors may play a role. The Mayo Clinic cites three other factors that contribute to the formation of acne: overproduction of oil, or sebum, buildup of bacteria and irregular shedding of dead skin cells. Cold sores are caused by a viral infection that usually results from kissing or sharing food or drinks with someone infected. The virus will lie dormant in the nerve cells under your skin and may appear again as an active infection near the original site, says the Mayo Clinic.
Appearance
Many times cold sores can be mistaken for acne and vice versa. The only sure way to tell is to get diagnosed by your doctor. Often the signs and symptoms are distinct enough to be able to distinguish the two. Cold sores--sometime called fever blisters--often develop in tiny little clusters around the lip area and are accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation. These sores last 10 to 14 days and will eventually burst open and form ulcers that scab over. Acne usually appears in the form of pimples or pustules--pus filled pimples--and do not form open ulcers unless they are "popped" or picked at.
Acne Treatment
There are a variety of over-the-counter treatments for acne. Most of these are designed to prevent or lessen the visual symptoms by cleaning the area and keeping oil levels in check. Some types of facial medication include benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol and salicylic acid, cites the Mayo Clinic. Acne that doesn't respond to these medications may require prescription topical medicine. Laser therapy is another form of treatment that is used to zap sebaceous glands causing them to produce less oil.
Cold Sore Treatment
Although a viral infection that causes cold sores can never be cured, there are certain medications that can be applied to the area that may lessen the time and severity of the outbreak. According to Medicine Plus, these include topical medicine that can numb the blisters, antibiotics that can prevent or control secondary bacterial infections, and topical cream or gel that soften the crusts around the sores.
