If you have acne, a provider can diagnose you by looking at your breakouts. During your appointment, a provider will also note what types of acne you have and where the breakouts appear on your skin. This helps your provider create an effective treatment plan.
Sometimes what looks like acne isn’t acne. While rare, what looks like acne can be another condition. For example, some people mistake hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa, for everyday acne. Treatment for this condition differs from that for acne.
Another condition that can be mistaken for acne is perioral dermatitis. It often causes breakouts that look like acne around the mouth.
Seeing a board-certified dermatologist can be reassuring. Whether you have stubborn acne or another condition, a provider can diagnose you and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.