Rosacea and dermatitis are conditions of the skin. In these conditions, an inflammatory response in the body results in skin swelling, redness and itching. While rosacea is most commonly seen in women, according to the National Institutes of Health, dermatitis can affect both sexes equally. Dermatitis is a more general term referring to inflammation of the skin and can be from a number of different causes.
Rosacea
Rosacea is considered an inflammatory skin condition by the Mayo Clinic. It's usually isolated to the face, manifesting as either small, red pustules or fine, red lines just under the surface of skin. Sometimes, the inflammation can cause the skin to thicken along the forehead, cheeks and chin, cautions the National Institutes of Health. It may even trigger an itching or burning sensation within the eyes.
Dermatitis
Unlike rosacea, dermatitis isn't a specific condition. The Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology both describe dermatitis as a grouping of disorders, including atopic, seborrheic, nummular, stasis and contact varieties. Each of these disorders involves inflammation of the skin that is often accompanied by a rash and itching sensation.
Significance
The cause of rosacea is still unknown, according to the NIH. The Mayo Clinic website attributes roles in its development to genetics and environment. People suffering from rosacea may experience a flareup due to temperature changes, sun exposure, stress, corticosteroids, spicy foods, alcohol, prescription drugs and even hot baths.
With dermatitis, the cause depends on the type of disorder affecting the skin. Some of the more common causes are genetics, allergens and irritants. People suffering from a form of dermatitis can suffer skin inflammation from soaps, detergents and cleaning products. They may react to perfumes, cosmetics, skin creams, corticosteroids or vegetation. Dermatitis may be a result of dry skin, a faulty immune response or another health condition.
Treatment
As with the causes of these skin conditions, the treatments vary. For rosacea, a health care provider may prescribe a combination of topical and oral medications. Creams containing benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin or azelaic acid, coupled with an oral antibiotic, can reduce inflammation and other associated symptoms, bringing about relief, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
For dermatitis, creams containing hydrocortisone are often the first course of treatment, since this topical medication works on most forms of dermatitis. Topical treatment is used in conjunction with oral medications, like antihistamines or antibiotics, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Prevention/Solution
There may not be a way to prevent the skin conditions themselves, but people can take steps to help avoid flareups in both rosacea and dermatitis. The most effective prevention is to follow the treatment plan set in place by a medical professional, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's also important to understand potential triggers. Since these can vary from person to person, it may take some time and observation to determine what is causing an outbreak.
