Rosacea is a common skin problem that is often called "adult acne." It usually affects fair-skinned and menopausal women, although it can affect anyone, and it may be inherited.
Rosacea causes pimples and redness on the face. It also causes small red lines (enlarged blood vessels) to appear on the face. It can also cause the skin to be swollen and feel warm.
People who have rosacea do not have the same lesions as those seen with common acne. However, people with rosacea may experience flushing of the face when:
- They are hot
- They drink alcohol or hot drinks
- They eat spicy foods.
In the most severe form, the redness does not go away, the eyes become swollen, and the nodules in the skin become painful.
Up to 50 percent of people who have rosacea develop associated eye problems (a condition called
ocular rosacea), which include:
- Redness
- Dryness
- Itching
- Burning
- Excess tears
- The feeling of having sand in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or some other kind of vision problem
- Eyelids that become inflamed and swollen.
Current Treatments for Rosacea
Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are several ways to manage this disease. For example:
- Keep a record of things that cause it to flare up, and avoid or limit these triggers as much as you can.
- You doctor can prescribe antibiotic lotions, gels, and pills.
- Laser treatment may help with scarring.
- 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.
