Rosacea

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 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.

Doctors don't know the exact cause of rosacea. Some doctors think rosacea happens when blood vessels expand too easily, causing flushing. People who blush a lot may be more likely to get rosacea. It is also thought that people inherit the likelihood of getting the disease.

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

• Heat (including hot baths)

• Heavy exercise

• Sunlight

• Winds

• Very Cold Temperatures

• Hot or Spicy Foods

• 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.