What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term disease that affects the skin and sometimes the eyes. Its symptoms include redness, pimples, and, in later stages, thicker skin. In most cases, rosacea only affects the face.

What Does Rosacea Look Like?

Rosacea has many symptoms, including the following:

• Frequent redness (flushing) of the face. Most redness is at the center of the face (forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin). There may also be a burning feeling and slight swelling.
• Small red lines under the skin. These lines show up when blood vessels under the skin get larger. This area of the skin may be somewhat swollen, warm, and red.
• Constant redness along with bumps on the skin. Sometimes the bumps have pus inside (pimples), but not always. Solid bumps on the skin may later become painful.
• Inflamed eyes/eyelids.
• A swollen nose. In some people (mostly men), the nose becomes red, larger, and bumpy.
• Thicker skin. The skin on the forehead, chin, cheeks, or other areas can become thicker because of rosacea.

What Causes Rosacea?

Though not well-researched, some people say that one or more of these factors make their rosacea worse:

• Heat (including hot baths)
• Heavy exercise
• Sunlight
• Winds
• Very cold temperatures
• Hot or spicy foods and drinks
• Drinking alcohol
• Menopause
• Emotional stress
• Long-term use of steroids on the face.

People with rosacea and pimples may think the pimples are caused by bacteria. But no one has found a clear link between rosacea and bacteria.

Can Rosacea Be Cured?

There is no cure for rosacea, but it can be treated and controlled. In time the skin may look better. A dermatologist (a doctor who works with diseases of the skin) often treats rosacea. There are several other ways to treat rosacea such as antibiotics, laser and light therapy.

What Can People With Rosacea Do to Help Themselves?

You play a key role in taking care of your rosacea. Here are a few steps to take:

• Keep a written record of when flareups happen. This can give you clues about what bothers your skin.
• Use a sunscreen every day that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it has a sun-protecting factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
• Use a mild moisturizer if it helps. Don't put irritating products on the face.
• If your eyes have problems, follow your doctor's treatment plan, and clean your eyelids as told.
• Talk with a doctor if you feel sad or have other signs of depression. Some people with rosacea feel bad because of the way their skin looks.

 Information from various sources including the following

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health