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What is rosacea? — Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause redness and raised bumps on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. It can also affect the eyes. Rosacea is a long-term condition that can get worse over time.
Rosacea happens most often in adults ages 30 to 60.
What are the symptoms of rosacea? — Rosacea usually affects the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyes. People with rosacea can have different symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
●Redness on the nose and cheeks that doesn't go away (picture 1)
●Blushing easily
●Raised, red bumps with or without pus in them (picture 2) – Bumps from rosacea can sometimes look like acne, but they aren't acne.
●Tiny, swollen blood vessels on the skin (called "telangiectasias")
●A burning or gritty feeling in the eyes
●A red, swollen, and rounded nose
In people with dark skin, sometimes the redness can be hard to see.
Sometimes, people's symptoms are under control. Other times, symptoms worsen and flare up. There are some things that might make redness on the face worse. Examples include:
●Eating hot or spicy foods, or drinking hot drinks
●Drinking alcohol
●Being too hot or cold
●Sunlight
●Stress and other strong emotions
How do I know if I have rosacea? — Most of the time, your doctor or nurse can tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.
How is rosacea treated? — Treatments do not cure rosacea, but they help control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. They involve:
●Medicines and other treatments – There are different ways to treat rosacea. Medicines can come as gels, creams, or lotions that go on your skin, or as pills that you swallow. You will likely need to take or use medicines for a long time. Special lasers can also help some people with rosacea.
●Lifestyle changes – To help control your symptoms and prevent flare-ups, you should:
•Try to avoid things that you know worsen your symptoms
•Use mild, unscented face cleansers to wash your face
•Wear sunscreen every day
•Avoid using products on your face with alcohol, acid, or other ingredients that could bother your skin
What if my symptoms are severe or don't get better? — If your symptoms are severe or don't get better with treatment, you will probably need to see a skin specialist (called a dermatologist). The specialist will talk with you about other possible treatments.
What if I want to get pregnant? — If you want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor or nurse. Some medicines for rosacea are not safe to take during pregnancy. Your doctor or nurse will make sure that your medicine is safe to take.
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