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They share certain symptoms, such as redness and itching. Both may also worsen in response to triggers. However, rosacea and eczema require different treatment strategies and are risk factors for different conditions. This article compares and contrasts rosacea and eczema. After defining these conditions, it discusses their symptoms, causes, and treatments, as well as when to see a doctor. Finally, it answers some common questions about rosacea and eczema. What are rosacea and eczema Share on PinterestDesign by MNT; Photography by Sawitree Pamee/EyeEm/Getty ImagesThere are some important differences between rosacea and eczema. Rosacea Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects a person’s skin. It may lead to problems with the eyes, such as dryness, tingling, and blurred vision. People who have rosacea are also prone to anxiety and depression. Eczema Eczema is another chronic skin condition. It involves a host of problems with the skin barrier. These problems can make people more susceptible to skin infections and can cause persistent skin dryness and itchiness. Comparison The table below summarizes the key symptoms of eczema and rosacea. The next section will discuss them in greater detail.SymptomEczemaRosacearednessXXitchingXXvisible blood vesselsXraised bumps on the skin (papules)XXpus-filled bumps (pustules)XflushingXdry skinXthickening of skinX XblisteringXscaly patches of skinXchanges in skin pigmentationXX Symptoms Although eczema and rosacea have some overlapping symptoms, there are also some important differences between the symptoms of the two conditions. Rosacea The skin symptoms of rosacea include:rednessitchy skinvisible blood vesselspapulespustulesflushingthickening of skinchanges in skin pigmentation It is also common for rosacea to cause symptoms in and around the eyes, including:drynessrednesstearinga tingling or burning sensationa feeling like there is something in the eyeblurred visionlight sensitivity According to a 2022 review published in Drugs in Context, rosacea can present differently on light skin tones than on dark skin tones. For instance, pustules and papules may be less obvious on dark skin. This may be partially due to changes in skin pigmentation, which are more common in people with dark skin. Eczema The symptoms of eczema include:a rashitchy skinraised skinthickened skinblisteringscaling excoriationdry skinskin discoloration Like rosacea, eczema can look different depending on a person’s skin tone. According to a 2021 article published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, eczema is more likely to present with redness and skin plaques on light skin. On darker skin, changes in skin pigmentation, the formation of papules, and lichenification are more common. Causes Rosacea and eczema may have some similar causes. Rosacea According to a review published in DermatoEndocrinology, scientists remain uncertain about the exact causes of rosacea. However, research suggests that rosacea occurs when the immune system overreacts to certain triggers. Rosacea triggers may include:ultraviolet radiationmicrobesextreme temperaturesstresshormonal changesspicy foodsalcohol In people with rosacea, the skin responds to these changes by releasing different immune cells. This process causes inflammation, which may contribute to rosacea symptoms. Eczema Researchers do not yet know the exact causes of follicular eczema. According to a 2019 article published in Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, several factors may jointly lead to eczema. These include:certain genetic mutations immune system responses to external triggers, which cause inflammationinsufficient production of skin barrier proteins Eczema symptoms can also suddenly worsen. This is called an eczema flare-up, and it often arises in response to external triggers. Common eczema triggers include:dust mitessome foods, such as fish, peanuts, and ricehigh humidityhigh heatchemicalssoapscertain fabrics, such as acrylic and wool Some people may also experience eczema flare-ups with no apparent cause. Treatment There are some important similarities and differences between rosacea and eczema treatments. Rosacea Rosacea is an incurable condition. However, some treatment options can help people manage the symptoms. These include:identifying and avoiding triggers to prevent symptoms from worseningpracticing a daily skin routine, which may include using sunscreen and moisturizing and cleansing the skin with products that have an optimal pH balancetaking anti-inflammatory medications Some anti-inflammatory medications are not suitable for people with rosacea. These include topical steroids, which may worsen symptoms. Eczema Eczema is also incurable. However, people can manage the condition by:identifying and avoiding triggers to reduce the chance of flare-upstreating eczema flare-ups with topical anti-inflammatory medicationsmoisturizing the skin with a fragrance-free moisturizer every day A healthcare professional may also prescribe different treatments depending on the type of eczema and its severity. When to see a doctor Anyone with symptoms of eczema or rosacea should consult a doctor. Once a doctor makes a diagnosis, they can put together an effective treatment plan. They can also discuss the outlook for people with either condition. Rosacea People with rosacea may be at an increased risk of developing certain conditions, such as:neurologic diseasesinflammatory bowel diseasecardiovascular diseases A person with rosacea may also experience depression and anxiety. For this reason, mental health treatment may be helpful to people with this condition. Eczema People with eczema are at an increased risk of developing other atopic conditions. These are conditions that arise or worsen as a result of allergens. Severe eczema comes with a 50% risk of asthma and a 75% risk of allergic rhinitis. Eczema makes people prone to skin infections. Though relatively rare, some of these infections can be very serious. These include eczema herpeticum and eczema cosackium, both of which can be fatal. Frequently asked questions Below are answers to some of the most common questions about rosacea and eczema. Can rosacea look like eczema Rosacea and eczema do have some symptoms in common, such as redness, dryness, and raised skin. What is the difference between eczema and rosacea Although these are both chronic skin conditions, only eczema is related to allergies. Is rosacea dry and flaky Dry skin and flaky skin are not typical symptoms of rosacea. Summary Rosacea and eczema are chronic skin conditions. Although they have some symptoms in common, rosacea and eczema are different in many respects. People should consult a doctor if they think they may have eczema or rosacea. A healthcare professional can diagnose the condition and make sure a person receives appropriate treatment. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022DermatologyAtopic Dermatitis / Eczema 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Farshchian, M., et al. (2022). Rosacea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557574/Kim, J., et al. (2019). Pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis: Clinical implications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6399565/Maliyar, K., et al. (2022). Dermatology: How to manage rosacea in skin of colour.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9165629/Nemeth, V., et al. (2021). Eczema.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538209/Rainer, B. M., et al. (2017). Rosacea: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821167/Sangha, A. M., et al. (2021). Dermatological conditions in skin of color-: Managing atopic dermatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8211323/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C — By Mathieu Rees on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageEczema: New drug reduces symptoms by 75% in infants and young children In a recent clinical trial, researchers said the new drug dupilumab was effective in reducing eczema symptoms in young childrenREAD MOREWhat to know about sunscreen for eczemaMedically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Sunscreens help to protect a person's skin against ultraviolet light from the sun. 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