Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects your face, though it can sometimes affect your neck, chest or scalp. It often causes redness, flushing and acne-like bumps that may come and go over time.
If you have rosacea, you may notice:
Many people overlook rosacea at first because they think the redness will go away on its own. But without treatment, symptoms may gradually worsen.
Rosacea signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. The condition is more common in women and people with fair skin, but symptoms may be more severe in men. Your risk may also be higher if someone in your family has rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic condition. While it isn’t life-threatening, it can affect your comfort and confidence. The good news is that treatment and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms.
Concerned about persistent redness, flushing or bumps on your face? A Banner Health dermatologist can help diagnose rosacea and create a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms.
Experts don’t know the exact cause of rosacea. It is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from another person.
Researchers believe rosacea may be linked to a combination of factors, including:
Symptoms often flare when something triggers inflammation.
Common rosacea triggers include:
Triggers can vary from person to person. Tracking your symptoms may help identify patterns.
There are four main types of rosacea. Some people have more than one type at the same time.
This type mainly causes redness and visible blood vessels.
Symptoms may include:
Sunlight, temperature changes and certain skin care products often trigger flare-ups.
Papulopustular rosacea can look similar to acne.
Symptoms may include:
Heat, spicy foods, alcohol or stress can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Phymatous rosacea causes thickened skin, usually affecting the nose.
Symptoms may include:
In some cases, the nose becomes enlarged. This condition is called rhinophyma.
This type occurs more often in men and may slowly worsen over time.
Ocular rosacea affects the eyes and eyelids and may occur along with other types of rosacea.
Symptoms may include:
If you notice eye symptoms, it is important to see an eye care professional. Early treatment can help prevent eye damage or vision problems.
There is no single test to diagnose rosacea. A dermatologist or experienced health care provider usually diagnoses rosacea based on:
Because other conditions can look similar, your provider may sometimes order tests to rule them out.
Conditions that may be confused with rosacea include:
Acne often causes blackheads and whiteheads, which rosacea typically does not. Acne also tends to affect the forehead, jawline and chin more than rosacea.
This condition causes redness and flaking and often affects the scalp, eyebrows and oily areas of the face.
Some forms of lupus can cause facial redness and rashes similar to rosacea but usually include other symptoms such as joint pain or fatigue.
This condition causes small red bumps around the mouth and nose and may be linked to steroid creams, cosmetics or certain toothpaste.
Skin irritation from allergens or irritants can cause redness, swelling and itching that may resemble rosacea.
Rosacea treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Your dermatologist may recommend a combination of treatments based on your symptoms and type of rosacea.
Gentle skin care can help reduce irritation.
Helpful steps include:
Daily sunscreen is especially important.
Prescription creams or gels applied to the skin can reduce redness and inflammation.
Examples include:
Your provider may prescribe oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation.
Examples include:
These medications are often used for moderate or severe rosacea.
Laser or light treatments can help:
These procedures are often considered cosmetic treatments, so health insurance may not cover them.
Lifestyle adjustments can help prevent rosacea flare-ups.
Helpful strategies include:
Keeping a symptom journal may help you identify patterns.
In rare cases, surgery may help reshape thickened nasal tissue caused by rhinophyma.
If rosacea affects your eyes, an eye care professional can recommend treatments to reduce irritation and protect your vision.
Treatment may include:
Cleaning the eyelids with gentle cleansers or medicated lid scrubs.
Lubricating eye drops can help relieve dryness and irritation.
Antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medications may help control symptoms.
These medications may reduce inflammation in more severe cases.
Wearing sunglasses and protecting your eyes from wind, dust and bright sunlight may help prevent irritation.
Regular eye exams are important to monitor ocular rosacea.
Rosacea can affect emotional well-being. Some people feel embarrassed or self-conscious about facial redness or breakouts.
You may find it helpful to:
Helpful resources include:
With the right treatment plan and lifestyle changes, many people are able to control rosacea symptoms and improve their skin health.
Early signs often include facial redness, flushing or blushing more easily than normal. Some people also notice visible blood vessels or a burning or warm feeling on the skin. Over time, acne-like bumps or persistent redness may develop.
Rosacea usually does not go away without treatment. Symptoms may come and go, but the condition is chronic. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help control symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Some foods and drinks may trigger rosacea symptoms. Common triggers include spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol and dairy products. Triggers vary from person to person, so keeping track of what you eat may help identify patterns.
No. Rosacea and acne are different conditions. Acne typically causes blackheads and whiteheads, while rosacea does not. Rosacea also tends to cause facial redness and visible blood vessels.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of rosacea. Many people benefit from a combination of gentle skin care, prescription topical medications, oral antibiotics and lifestyle changes to avoid triggers.
If you are experiencing persistent redness, flushing or acne-like bumps on your face, a Banner Health dermatologist can help identify the cause and recommend treatment options to improve your skin and comfort.
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