differential diagnosis
Last reviewed 05/2023
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.
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