Eczema and acne are two unrelated skin conditions. Their symptoms can look similar, making it hard to distinguish between them.

Eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions that may cause itchy, dry, and discolored skin patches.

Sometimes, eczema may cause raised bumps that look like pimples or acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes skin breakouts. These may include pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or nodules.

Although some eczema symptoms may look like acne, they are two separate conditions that have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.

It’s possible to have both at once, although when this occurs, it’s usually on different areas of your face and body.

Keep reading to learn more about whether you can have eczema and pimples at the same time, as well as how both conditions are treated.

Eczema is an umbrella term that refers to a group of seven skin conditions, including:

It’s most commonly diagnosed in people ages 2 months to 5 years, but can occur in people of any age.

The underlying cause of eczema is not completely understood, but experts suggest it’s related to a weakened skin barrier. This is the outside layer of skin responsible for retaining moisture and protecting it from irritants.

Genetics, environmental, and immunological factors may all play a role in a weakened skin barrier.

Common symptoms of eczema may include:

  • itchy rash
  • dry skin
  • leathery skin (lichenification)
  • swelling
  • soreness
  • raised, pimple-like bumps that may ooze and bleed if scratched

Acne pimples are raised, discolored bumps that can also have a whitehead, or pus. They usually appear in clusters, which can make the area look similar to eczema rashes.

However, acne and eczema are two separate conditions.

While eczema is thought to be due to a skin barrier dysfunction, acne occurs when your pores become clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria.

People with acne often have oily skin due to an oversecretion of sebum (oil) by the sebaceous gland, which may cause pores to become clogged more often.

Acne breakouts are usually caused by hormonal changes, such as those associated with puberty. Unlike eczema, it’s not triggered by an immune system response.

Eczema flare-ups occur when triggers activate the immune system, which causes inflammation that leads to eczema symptoms. Common triggers include environmental irritants and allergens, stress, and diet, among others.

Two key differences between eczema and pimples are itching and skin dryness.

Eczema can cause uncontrollable itching, whereas pimples do not. If you have eczema, your skin does not produce as much oil as it should. It also does not hold on to water. These factors can lead to very dry skin.

It is possible to have pimples and eczema at the same time in different locations. For example, you may have pimples on your face and shoulders but eczema on your:

  • hands
  • elbows
  • eyelids

Since eczema is associated with dry skin and pimples are associated with oily skin, it is less common to have both conditions at the same time and in the same location.

You may, however, have both at the same time but in different spots on your:

  • face
  • back
  • shoulders
  • chest

For example, you may have acne pimples in your t-zone (nose and forehead) but an eczema rash on your cheeks.

A doctor, such as a dermatologist, will be able to diagnose both conditions.

How is eczema diagnosed?

A doctor will examine your skin, and review your medical and family history. They will ask about symptoms such as itching and try to identify triggers.

In most cases, doctors can identify eczema with a visual examination alone. But they may also do patch test to rule out skin conditions that look like eczema, such as ringworm.

How is acne diagnosed?

Acne is also diagnosed through a visual examination and intake questionnaire.

A doctor may also ask about menstrual history to determine if there is an underlying cause such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

A dermatologist or other doctor can prescribe treatment options for either or both conditions.

How is eczema treated?

There’s no cure for eczema, but a doctor could help develop a treatment plan to manage your symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and improve your quality of life.

Treatment may include:

Learn more about eczema treatments.

How is acne treated?

A doctor will recommend treatments designed to help reduce symptoms, reduce breakouts, and avoid scarring.

This may include medications that reduce sebum production so that your skin is less oily. Some medications also reduce skin bacteria.

Treatment may include:

Learn more about acne treatments.

Salicylic acid is a common acne treatment sometimes used to treat certain types of eczema, such as seborrheic dermatitis. It works by softening keratin, a protein found in the skin.

In acne, this may help slow down the shedding of skin cells in follicles reducing clogged pores and acne breakouts. In eczema, it may help loosen the dry, scaly skin.

That said, it’s best to speak with a doctor before trying salicylic acid for eczema. Some research suggests it could cause contact dermatitis, which can worsen current eczema symptoms.

Certain natural remedies and lifestyle and dietary habits could help you manage eczema or acne at home.

Some of these may include:

Learn more about natural remedies for eczema and acne.

Eczema and acne can make skin uncomfortable and even painful. Skin damage like scarring or hyperpigmentation (darker patches of skin than usual) may also result.

Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and acne may also affect your mental health, possibly causing feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and depression, which may lead to social isolation.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you experience physical or mental health complications from acne or eczema. They could help develop a treatment plan for you and recommend support groups.

What type of eczema looks like pimples?

Papular eczema may cause small, raised, and discolored bumps to appear on the skin that look like pimples. This type of eczema is more common in people with darker skin tones.

Can you pop eczema pimples?

Eczema may cause blisters that ooze liquid and crust over. It’s important not to pop, scratch, or rub these blisters, as this can increase your risk of developing an infection.

Eczema and acne are two skin conditions that have unrelated causes.

Acne is earmarked by pimples. The red or discolored rash associated with eczema is sometimes mistaken for pimples, although the two are dissimilar.

Each condition is typically treated with different medications.

If you experience skin symptoms that cause distress, speak with a doctor. They could examine your symptoms to provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.