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Differential diagnosis

Authoring team

Possible items in the differential for this condition include:

  • drug eruptions eg in response to anti-tuberculous or anti-epileptic therapy
  • rosacea - but usually affect an older age group and there is an absence of comedones, nodules or scarring (1)
  • pyogenic folliculitis - swabs usually yield Staphylococcus aureus in this condition
  • perioral dermatitis- it can present with acneiform or eczematous features. The perioral distribution is the best clue to its differentiation (1)
  • Demodex folliculitis and pityrosporum folliculitis - are caused by mites and yeast-like organisms respectively. Should be suspected when the acne doesn't respond to appropriate therapy (1).
  • in infantile form: the possibility of an androgen secreting tumour must be excluded.

Reference:

1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Acne vulgaris. Dec 2023 [internet publication].

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