What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition that usually only affects the face and eyes. Occasionally, the neck, chest, or other areas may be involved. Characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, rosacea tends to begin after middle age (between the ages of 30 and 60). It is more common in fair-skinned people and women in menopause.

The cause of rosacea is unknown. An estimated more than 14 million people in the U.S. have rosacea.

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

Rosacea often begins with easy blushing and flushing of the facial skin. Eventually, redness will persist around the nose area. Then it extends to the rest of the face. Rosacea has a variety of clinical symptoms. It is classified into the following four types, based on these different symptoms:

Prerosacea

Frequent episodes of blushing and flushing of the face and neck

Vascular rosacea

Swelling of blood vessels under the facial skin, leading to swollen, warm skin (common in women)

Inflammatory rosacea

Formation of pimples and enlarged blood vessels on the face

Rhinophyma

Enlarged oil glands in the nose and cheeks that cause an enlarged, bulbous red nose (almost only seen in men)

Eye Symptoms of Rosacea

In addition, rosacea often affects the eye and eyelid. Eye symptoms may include:

• Redness

• Burning

• Tearing

• Inflamed eyelids

• Sensation of a foreign object in the eye

The symptoms of rosacea may resemble other dermatologic conditions, such as acne. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is rosacea diagnosed?

Rosacea is usually diagnosed with a complete medical history and physical exam.

Treatment for rosacea

Specific treatment for rosacea will be discussed with you by your healthcare provider based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history

• Extent of the rash

• Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies

• Expectations for the course of the rash

• Your opinion or preference

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms associated with rosacea. Treatment may include:

• Diet modifications (for example, avoiding foods that dilate the skin's blood vessels, such as caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol)

• Topical and oral antibiotics

• Prescription creams or lotions

• Glycolic acid peels

• Laser therapy

• Dermabrasion

• Electrosurgery

Management

If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, you can help manage the condition by:

• Keeping a record of triggers, such as stress, weather, or certain foods or drinks

• Always using a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a sun-protecting factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

• Being careful not to use any irritating products on your face

• Taking your medicines as prescribed