Rosacea (roe-ZAY-she-uh) is a common, chronic skin condition of unknown cause. More than 14 million Americans have it. Anyone can develop rosacea but it’s most common in fair-skinned people who have a tendency to blush easily. Rosacea causes redness on the face, visible blood vessels, swelling, acne-like bumps and thick skin. It can also develop in the eyes causing swelling and irritation. Symptoms can flare up for weeks or months and then stop for a while. Certain factors can trigger a flareup of symptoms. While there’s no cure, treatment with antibiotics and ache medications can control and reduce rosacea’s symptoms. If not treated, it will get worse over time.
Rosacea is more than a cosmetic concern. You need an accurate diagnosis and treatment because it gets worse over time. A red, uncomfortable face can become permanent. Skin thickening can cause permanent disfigurement. Rosacea in the eyes, which occurs in about half of all patients, can decrease your ability to see.
Although the cause of rosacea remains unknown, facial redness may be due to one or more of these potential causes:
In some people rosacea gets worse at certain times of the year (winter) or with certain activities -- your face feels hot and uncomfortable after drinking red wine, for example.
Flare-ups of rosacea may be triggered by:
You may be more likely to develop rosacea if you:
Rosacea symptoms vary from one person to another, and not everyone has all the symptoms. Symptoms are often more severe in men. The two most important symptoms, used to diagnose it, are:
A diagnosis of rosacea can be made if you have two or more of these major signs of rosacea. The major signs of rosacea include:
Secondary symptoms can include:
In an effort to better target treatment to individual types of cases, rosacea is divided into four types (subtypes). Each type has its own symptoms and treatment. It’s possible for a patient to have more than one type of rosacea at the same time.
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
Symptoms of rosacea in the eyes:
An accurate diagnosis is important because rosacea is often mistaken for ache, other skin problems, or a naturally ruddy complexion. There is no test to diagnose rosacea. Diagnosis requires at least one diagnostic sign or two major signs of rosacea (see Symptoms listed above). The secondary symptoms are not used to diagnose it.
Having either of these diagnostic signs indicates rosacea: Persistent facial redness and/or thickening skin, especially on the nose.
The dermatologist will examine your skin and ask about your symptom history. You may have tests to rule out other conditions such as lupus or psoriasis. In people of color, rosacea is often misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction or seborrheic dermatitis. If your eyes are involved, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
Treatment is important because, without it, flare-ups will continue, vision can be damaged and rosacea will get worse.
Rosacea’s symptoms vary from patient to patient, and treatment plans must be tailored to each patient’s needs. Patient surveys revealed that medical treatment of rosacea improved emotional and social well-being for more than 70% of patients.
Treatments may include:
Medications, both oral and topical (applied to skin), are often successful in reducing symptoms for many patients. Medications can target specific symptoms and may be used to both relieve immediate symptoms and maintain long-term remission.
Lasers and pulsed-light sources can remove (or make less noticeable) visible blood vessels and correct disfigurement of the nose. Side effects of laser therapy include swelling and bruising that can last for several days. Applying ice packs to the area can help with recovery.
Home-care treatments can help. Adopt a gentle skin-care routine that’s approved by your dermatologist for your specific type of rosacea. Always use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser; rinse with lukewarm water, never hot; blot your face dry without rubbing. Moisturize liberally and use a UVA/UVB sunscreen every day, even in winter and on cloudy days. Use non-chemical sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium dioxide. Stop using any skin care product that stings, burns or makes
Avoid lifestyle and environmental triggers to help keep your flare-ups at a minimum and maintain remission. You’ll need to track what causes your rosacea symptoms because every patient has different triggers. Keeping a diary of your daily activities and when you have flare-ups.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Siddiqui is the Chief Medical Officer at TeleMed2U responsible for clinical and technical program development as well as maintaining a thriving telemedicine practice in infectious diseases which includes specialized care of Hepatitis and HIV.
