There are a few other kinds of conditions that can sometimes be mistaken for acne in certain cases, and Staph infections are a common example. Staph infections sometimes appear in similar ways to acne and can be mistaken for it as a result, but being able to tell the two apart is important to receive the proper treatment.
At Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic, we're proud to offer the best acne treatments and related services at our skincare clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, with estheticians who are experts at identifying acne versus other potential skin issues. While we don't directly treat Staph infections, our estheticians are quite familiar with these issues and how to tell them apart from acne - and we'll even make recommendations on ideal doctors to speak to if it turns out your issue is indeed a Staph infection. Here are some basics on Staph infections and why they're a risk, plus some of the basic indicators our estheticians will use to identify them separately from acne.
What exactly is a Staph infection, and how does it differ from acne? Staph infections are caused by the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly found on the skin and in the nose. While this bacterium is typically harmless, if it enters your body through a cut or wound, it can cause an infection. This is where things can become dangerous, as Staph infections can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
Staph infections are highly contagious and can spread easily through person-to-person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. It's important to note that while anyone can develop a Staph infection, certain groups of people, such as athletes, healthcare workers, children, and those with weakened immune systems, are at a higher risk.
It's true that in their early stages, Staph infections often resemble pimples or boils. However, there are some key differences to look out for:
Now, even knowing these basics, there will be some cases where it's still hard for individual patients to determine on their own whether they have a Staph infection or acne. This is where professional estheticians or dermatologists come in. They are trained to identify and diagnose different types of skin conditions, including Staph infections and acne. Moreover, they can provide personalized treatment plans tailored specifically for each patient's needs (or, in other cases, recommendations on treatment centers for Staph infections).
If you're examined by our estheticians and it turns out your issue is indeed a Staph infection and not acne, you should take immediate action and start treatment. Staph infections can spread quickly if left untreated, causing more serious health complications such as abscesses or even sepsis. Treatment options for Staph infections include:
Once you have successfully treated a Staph infection, it is important to take steps to prevent future occurrences. Here are some tips to help you avoid contracting Staph bacteria:
At Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic, our expert estheticians are able to spot the differences between acne and Staph infections and quickly point you in the right direction for treatment. Contact us today for these or any other skincare clinic needs around SLC or nearby parts of Utah!
Perioral Dermatitis is a skin condition that look like a combination of acne and rosacea. It usually starts with a bumpy rash or dryness around the mouth area and may spread to the rest of the face and neck. In some severe cases it can even spread all the way down the back.
The exact cause is not known but generally it can be linked to steroid overuse and certain ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which exists in some toothpastes (here’s a list of best SLS-Free Toothpastes). Other triggers can be food related, stress, allergies, or hormones.
Many dermatologists recommend antibiotics to treat Perioral Dermatitis, but it can often be treated with topical products and a watchful diet. Often antibiotics take over a month to start working, so finding the right products to get started is important.
The most effective method for dealing with Perioral Dermatitis that we have found is the Exfoliating Serum Lite, which works great for sensitive skin, like that of most people who suffer from Perioral Dermatitis. It’s a mandelic acid that not only helps with this disorder, but also helps ease redness, irritation, and acne.
We also advocate certain diet changes, like eating fewer acidic foods like tomatoes and strawberries. Foods like these can trigger more breakouts in the long run. Avoiding foods high in processed sugar also helps.
Oftentimes, Perioral Dermatitis can show up out of nowhere, even sporadically overnight. It starts like a small rash and will generally develop bigger, dryer spots that are not helped with just an over-the-counter moisturizer. For best results, stop any use of occlusive products and replace them with something like this Moisture Gel.
Topical corticosteroids (including hydrocortisone) appear to be one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to this condition and it is vital to discontinue use of them on the skin. If you have been prescribed them by a doctor, ask for a good alternative to use instead.
It’s a good idea to get an appointment with a trusted esthetician or dermatologist as soon as the rash forms to mitigate the effects. The good news is it is not contagious and can be taken care of after a period of time.
Ever notice how sometimes your cheeks flare up bright red when you’re blushing or eating spicy food? Or maybe nothing even happened and your cheeks are still rosy as a ripe tomato. Maybe it’s really humid and your skin has decided to look hot and aggravated, even though you’ve been inside in a temperature controlled environment all day.
It can begin when you just blush or flush more easily than other people. The redness may spread from the cheeks and nose to other areas of the body such as the ears, chest, and back.
The sad truth is, these are all symptoms of Rosacea. According to the American Academy of Dermatology there are four sub types of Rosacea
Today we are going to talk about the most common type, which is simply referred to as Papulopustular Rosacea or Acne Rosacea.
On the skin, Rosacea may just look like rosy cheeks. Other times small pimple-like bumps can break out on the skin. Many times it will include broken blood vessels spread out across the cheeks and nose.
Rosacea can be exacerbated by environmental changes (moving from a hot area to a cool one and vice versa, too much exposure to sunlight, cold wind) to the foods you eat, particularly spicy food. Alcohol can also be a major trigger. Other drinks such as coffee and tea can also be triggers.
There are a few ways we like to manage Acne Rosacea here at Skintherapy. The first thing we want to do is take a look at the skin and determine the severity of the condition.
The next thing we usually do is pick a cleanser to help with oiliness. The go-to in this situation would be our BPO Wash. Not only does it help combat oily skin but it also helps with the redness that accompanies Rosacea. This will help manage the inflammation and irritation.
Another excellent product we like to use in our clinic is our Exfoliating Serum #1 which assists in sloughing off dead skin cells and disinfecting skin. This serum also aids in the therapeutic reduction of redness.
For a toner, we love to use our Calming Toner or the Oily Skin Toner. Both of these help calm and and clarify irritated skin. Make your choice dependant on how oily or sensitive your skin is. Both of these are great products, but we can always help you choose which one is the best for your skin if you’d prefer some guidance.
We always recommend visiting us for a consultation before buying or ordering products, but if you are in a bind, at the end of your rope, the products listed above will be of great use to you. Never be afraid to reach out to us with any further questions or added assistance, or simply to book your appointment today.
If you do have Acne Rosacea, remember that you are not alone! Here’s a list of famous actors and actresses who also have Rosacea:
We look forward to helping you with your Acne and Acne Rosacea.
Triggers for acne come in a variety of different forms, as you have probably experienced in your lifetime. Sometimes it seems like these triggers are random and incoherent, whereas other times you generally know when you expect a breakout and about how long it will last. The most frustrating part about having acne is a lot of times, breakouts totally catch you by surprise.
In this post, we want to help you recognize triggers before they cause a breakout so that you can avoid acne and have as clear skin as possible.
1. Too much sun exposure
Summer is now here and we can’t stress enough the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied liberally and often. Not only does it help breakouts, but it also helps acne scars become less red and inflamed. Make sure the sunscreen you use doesn’t have any comedogenic ingredients, but besides that, just make sure to use it every time you are outside, especially if it is hot and sunny, but also if it cloudy. (The sun’s UV rays can penetrate cloud cover!) Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just important to protect your acne-prone skin, but also to protect aging skin. Nobody wants leathery looking skin caused by sun damage.
2 .Food with lots of hormones (androgens, soy, milk)
Hormonal acne (usually characterized by breakouts on the chin and jawline) is one of the most common types of acne. It can be greatly exacerbated by eating foods that also have lots of of hormones, which trigger an imbalance in the body and cause more overproduction of sebum on the skin, which equals breakouts. Foods like soy and milk are densely laden with hormones and should be avoided at all cost. Androgens, another hormone, are present in mostly meat, but especially present in organ meats.
3. Salon facials
You may be at a salon getting a mani-pedi when the cosmetologist offers a relaxing facial to complete the package. Without ever having one before, you are not sure what to expect, but you agree because it sounds nice. When she gets to the facial, you are asked to sit back and rest your head on the back of your chair. Lotions and oils are rubbed into your face. As the oily perfumed lotions are massaged into your skin, you may to relax a bit. Finally at the conclusion of the facial, your cosmetologist comments “Oh and if you breakout later, that is just the facial bringing toxins to the surface of the skin to get them out of your pores.” Which could be true for some people, but for someone with acne, this has more to do with the fact that lots of oil and lotion on the skin clogs pores and causes acne flares. Breakouts are caused when skin overproduces dead skin cells and sebum. Add massaging oils to the mix and you might experience an unpleasant flare-up. Our best advice would be to just avoid the facials at your next nail/eyebrow/hair appointment.
4. Foods high Glycemic on the Index
Acne often starts on the inside out, so to truly beat it, you want to be conscious of decisions you make when choosing what to consume. You probably have heard about the evils of carbs and sugars, but did you know they are also linked to acne? Research has shown that in individuals that have acne, when they eat foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, it spikes insulin. This usually only happens people who have diabetes, but for some reason, those with acne are also affected. The difference is, for acne-sufferers, the symptoms are not those of a diabetes, but rather a worsening of acne symptoms.
5. Heavy drugs
When we say heavy drugs, we are mostly talking about those prescribed for acne specifically, but this can also mean narcotics as well. So called “acne drugs” like Accutane only work as long as they are being taken and the tolls of their use have been documented to be unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst. Some dermatologists recommend antibiotics to “fight the bacteria on the skin” but long-term use of these drugs also causes health problems.
The best thing you can do for your skin is find a process that works on the skin (topical) and a lifestyle that helps you make healthy skin choices, including those mentioned in this article.
For more information on how to clear your acne, talk to someone who has true experience in helping people accomplish their dream of clear skin and book a consultation with the acne experts at Skintherapy today.
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