Many skin conditions mimic acne, leaving pustules, bumps or rashes on the body. These disorders may be chronic, appearing as a result of contact with an irritant or severe weather. Treatment for the various acne-like skin disorders depends on the symptoms and severity of your condition. Before treating your skin with lotions, creams or medicines, consult your doctor for advice.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic, progressive skin condition, causing redness, bumps and inflammation. Often mistaken for acne, rosacea appears on the face and produces tiny pustules. Unlike acne, which is most prevalent in adolescence, rosacea affects adults, flaring up for a season and then subsiding. The Mayo Clinic notes the condition may appear for weeks to months before temporarily disappearing. There is no cure for rosacea; however, treatments can help manage symptoms.
Steroid Acne
Steroid acne is an acne-like skin disorder that occurs in Cushing's syndrome (a hormonal disorder most common among women), or following the use of steroid medications, according to DermNet NZ. Adolescents or adults using moderate to high doses of steroid medications, such as those taken for asthma, may notice the acne-like bumps on their chest, though they might also appear on the back, face, neck and arms. These small red bumps are typically the same size and may cause itching or irritation. Occasionally, they may have fluid in them (pustular).
Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a common condition that results when keratin (a hard protein that protects the skin from bacteria and infection) builds up and forms a plug, obstructing the hair follicle, according to the Mayo Clinic. The acne-like disorder generally occurs in the teen years, and presents flesh-colored, red or brown spots on the skin, which are coarse and often conceal a curled hair beneath the skin's surface. These bumps may be seen on the cheeks, thighs, forearms or back, though they generally emerge on the external upper arm areas. Inclement winter weather and low humidity may worsen the symptoms. While the cause of keratosis pilaris is uncertain, it is believed to be associated with certain genetic diseases and skin disorders, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lichen Spinulosus
Lichen spinulosus is a variant of keratosis pilaris, and likewise is most common among adolescents. The condition appears suddenly, spreading rapidly at intervals on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, knees and parts of the arms, according DermNet NZ. The patches of acne-like bumps may feel rough and cause itching.
