Rosacea is a common skin condition, typically arising in fair-skinned individuals between 30-50 years of age. There are two main types of rosacea:
Papulopustular – This type of rosacea looks very similar to acne with red spots and small pustules.
Erythrotelangiectatic – This presents with diffuse redness, flushing and broken blood vessels.
Often, patients experience both types and rosacea can even affect the eyes (with a feeling of grittiness and a bloodshot look).
Facial redness, flushing, broken capillaries as well as bumpy skin texture may be a sign of rosacea.
At Mittal Dermatology we will advise you on prescription medications, our exclusive topicals, as well as laser therapies.
Rosacea (rose-AY-sha) is a common skin disease. It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people.
The redness can slowly spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. Even the ears, chest, and back can be red all the time.
Rosacea can cause more than redness. There are so many signs and symptoms that rosacea has four subtypes.
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels
Signs and Symptoms
Flushing and redness in the center of the face
Visible broken blood vessels (spider veins)
Swollen skin
Skin may be very sensitive
Skin may sting and burn
Dry skin, roughness or scaling
Have a tendency to flush or blush more easily than other people
Papulopustular rosacea
Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts
Signs and symptoms
Acne-like breakouts, usually where the skin is very red
Acne-like breakouts tend to come and go
Oily skin
Skin may be very sensitive
Skin may burn and sting
Visible broken blood vessels (spider veins)
Raised patches of skin called plaques
Phymatous rosacea
Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture
Signs and Symptoms
This subtype is rare. When it does occur, the person often has signs and symptoms of another subtype of rosacea first. The signs of this subtype are:
Bumpy texture to the skin
Skin begins to thicken, especially common on the nose. When the skin thickens on the nose, it is called rhinophyma (rye-NO-fie-ma)
Skin may thicken on the chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
Visible broken blood vessels appear
Pores look large
Oily skin
Ocular rosacea
Signs and symptoms
Ocular rosacea: When rosacea affects the eye, it is called ocular rosacea. If rosacea affects your eye, you may need to see an ophthalmologist (doctor who specializes in treating eye diseases).
Some people get rosacea in their eyes. The eyes may have one or more of the following:
Watery or bloodshot appearance
Feel gritty, often feels like sand in the eyes
Eyes burn or sting
Eyes are very dry
Eyes itch
Eyes sensitive to light
Blurry vision
Visible broken blood vessels on an eyelid
Cyst on the eyelid
Person cannot see as well as before
Who gets rosacea?
Rosacea is common. According to the U.S. government, more than 14 million people are living with rosacea. Most people who get to
sacea are:
Between 30 and 50 years of age
Fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes
From Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry
Likely to have someone in their family tree with rosacea or severe acne
Likely to have had lots of acne — or acne cysts and/or nodules
Women are a bit more likely than men to get rosacea. Women, however, are not as likely as men to get severe rosacea. Some people are more likely to get rosacea, but anyone can get this skin disease. People of all colors get rosacea. Children get rosacea.
What causes rosacea?
Scientists are still trying to find out what causes rosacea. By studying rosacea, scientists have found some important clues:
Rosacea runs in families. Many people who get rosacea have family members who have rosacea. It is possible that people inherit genes for rosacea.
The immune system may play a role. Scientists found that most people with acne-like rosacea react to a bacterium (singular for bacteria) called bacillus oleronius. This reaction causes their immune system to overreact. Scientists still do not know whether this can cause rosacea.
A bug that causes infections in the intestines may play a role. This bug, H pylori, is common in people who have rosacea. Scientists cannot prove that H pylori can cause rosacea. Many people who do not have rosacea have an H pylori infection.
A mite that lives on everyone’s skin, demodex, may play a role. This mite likes to live on the nose and cheeks, and this is where rosacea often appears. Many studies found that people with rosacea have large numbers of this mite on their skin. The problem is some people who do not have rosacea also have large numbers of this mite on their skin.
A protein that normally protects the skin from infection, cathelicidin, may cause the redness and swelling. How the body processes this protein may determine whether a person gets rosacea.
Rosacea can affect quality of life
Rosacea can affect more than the skin and eyes. Because rosacea is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease, it can reduce a person’s quality of life. Many people report problems at work, in their marriage, and with meeting new people. Surveys and studies report that living with rosacea can cause:
Feelings of frustration and embarrassment: In surveys conducted by the National Rosacea Society, 41 percent said their rosacea caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.
Worry: People worry that their rosacea will get worse or cause scars. People worry about side effects from medicine used to treat rosacea.
Low self-esteem: Surveys conducted by the National Rosacea Society found that almost 70 percent of people living with rosacea said that the condition lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Work-related problems: Surveys conducted by the National Rosacea Society find that when rosacea is severe, 70 percent of people say the disease affects their interactions at work. Nearly 30 percent say that rosacea causes them to miss work.
Anxiety and depression: Living with a skin condition that flares unexpectedly can cause people to believe you have a drinking problem. This can cause anxiety and depression.
Treatment seems to improve a person’s quality of life. Studies show that when people have fewer signs and symptoms of rosacea, their quality of life improves.
Signs of rosacea in skin of color
If you have skin of color, dermatologists recommend that you make a dermatology appointment if you notice any of the following on your face:
A warm feeling most of the time
Dry, swollen skin and patches of darker skin
A dusky brown discoloration to your skin
Acne-like breakouts that acne treatment won’t clear
Yellowish-brown, hard bumps around your mouth, eyes, or both
Burning or stinging when you apply skin care products
Swelling and thickening skin on your nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead