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Rosacea
Acne rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin problem that makes your face turn red. It may also cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne .
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits. " Whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts) may develop....
Causes
The cause is not known. You may be more likely to have this if you are:
- Age 30 to 50
- Fair-skinned
- A woman
Rosacea involves swelling of the blood vessels just under the skin. It may be linked with other skin disorders ( acne vulgaris , seborrhea ) or eye disorders ( blepharitis , keratitis ).
Acne vulgaris
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits. " Whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts) may develop....
Seborrhea
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp, ...
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflamed, irritated, itchy, and reddened eyelids. It most often occurs where the eyelashes grow. Dandruff-like debris builds up at t...
Keratitis
The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is often caused by inf...
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Redness of the face
- Blushing or flushing easily
- A lot of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face
-
Red nose (called a
bulbous nose
)
Bulbous nose
Rhinophyma is a large, red-colored (ruddy) nose. The nose has a bulb shape.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Acne-like skin sores that may ooze or crust
- Burning or stinging feeling in the face
- Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes
The condition is less common in men, but the symptoms tend to be more severe.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider can often diagnose rosacea by doing a physical exam and asking questions about your medical history.
Treatment
There is no known cure for rosacea.
Your provider will help you identify the things that make your symptoms worse. These are called triggers. Triggers vary from person to person. Avoiding your triggers may help you prevent or reduce flare-ups.
Some things you can do to help ease or prevent symptoms include:
- Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen every day.
- Avoid a lot of activity in hot weather.
- Try to reduce stress. Try deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
- Limit spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages.
Other triggers may include wind, hot baths, cold weather, specific skin products, exercise, or other factors.
- Antibiotics taken by mouth or applied to the skin may control acne-like skin problems. Ask your provider.
- Isotretinoin is a strong drug that your provider might consider. It is used in people who have severe rosacea that hasn't improved after treatment with other medicines.
- Rosacea is not acne and will not improve with over-the-counter acne treatment.
In very bad cases, laser surgery may help reduce the redness. Surgery to remove some swollen nose tissue may also improve your appearance.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Rosacea is a harmless condition, but it may cause you to be self-conscious or embarrassed. It cannot be cured, but may be controlled with treatment.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Lasting changes in appearance (for example, a red, swollen nose)
- Lower self-esteem
References
Habif TP. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology . 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 7.
Korman NJ. Macular, papular, vesiculobullous, and pustular diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 439.
van Zuuren EJ, Kramer S, Carter B, Graber MA, Fedorowicz Z. Interventions for rosacea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2011;(3):CD003262. PMID: 21412882 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21412882 .
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Rosacea - illustration
Rosacea is a condition where the area of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids become inflamed. It is a chronic skin disorder that can cause redness, prominent blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne. Rosacea occurs most often in fair skinned people, particularly those who blush easily. It is also more common in women.
Rosacea
illustration
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Rosacea - illustration
Rosacea has multiple phases, beginning with flushing of the skin, followed by redness, followed by the development of small blood vessels visible in the skin. The later stage is exhibited by the red papules on this person's cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Underlying redness and small blood vessels are also seen.
Rosacea
illustration
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Acne, close-up of cysts on the back - illustration
Cystic acne, or nodulocystic acne, is the most severe form of acne. Both pustules and hard red bumps are present in the skin. This form of acne is more difficult to treat and often requires taking an oral vitamin A derivative.
Acne, close-up of cysts on the back
illustration
-
Rosacea - illustration
Rosacea is a condition where the area of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids become inflamed. It is a chronic skin disorder that can cause redness, prominent blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne. Rosacea occurs most often in fair skinned people, particularly those who blush easily. It is also more common in women.
Rosacea
illustration
-
Rosacea - illustration
Rosacea has multiple phases, beginning with flushing of the skin, followed by redness, followed by the development of small blood vessels visible in the skin. The later stage is exhibited by the red papules on this person's cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Underlying redness and small blood vessels are also seen.
Rosacea
illustration
-
Acne, close-up of cysts on the back - illustration
Cystic acne, or nodulocystic acne, is the most severe form of acne. Both pustules and hard red bumps are present in the skin. This form of acne is more difficult to treat and often requires taking an oral vitamin A derivative.
Acne, close-up of cysts on the back
illustration
Review Date: 8/29/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
