Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCopingSummaryNext in Rosacea GuideRosacea: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Summary
Next in Rosacea Guide
Rosaceais a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes discolored (a change in skin tone) orreddened skinand a rash, usually on the nose and cheeks, and can cause eye irritation.Pictures of rosacea can help you identify symptoms and learn how to manage them.
This article discusses what rosacea looks like, the types of rosacea, what causes it, and how rosacea is diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Rosacea Symptoms
The most common symptoms of rosacea are discoloration (a change in skin tone), flushing, anderythema(redness) of the cheeks and forehead. It can also affect the chin, neck, and other parts of the body.
The effects can vary, and occasional flare-ups can occur, but most people with rosacea have some persistent skin manifestations all the time.
Rosacea symptoms vary from person to person, but most people have one of the following symptoms or a combination of these symptoms:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Photos of Types of Skin Redness
Sensory Effects
Generally, rosacea affects the appearance of the skin with few, if any sensory issues. But it can cause a feeling of skin irritation, discomfort, itching, stinging, or burning of the affected areas.
Eyes and Eyelids
Rosacea can affect the eyes, causing itching, dry eyes, discomfort, swelling, or cysts in or near the eyes and eyelids. Eyes can appear to be bloodshot. Cysts and severe swelling can cause long-term damage and may affect vision.
Rosacea: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
What Causes Rosacea?
Scientists do not know what causes rosacea. They know that inflammation contributes to skin discoloration and rash, but they do not fully understand why inflammation occurs. It may be due to heightened skin sensitivity, environmental factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, and/or microbes that live on the skin.
The condition is believed to have genetic and environmental causes.Risk factors include:
Stress hasn’t been shown to cause rosacea, but for many people with rosacea,emotional stresscan trigger a flare-up.This may lead to more stress and worsening symptoms.
Triggers
If you have rosacea, several factors can make the skin effects worse. You can experience worsening of your symptoms immediately or days after exposure to any of your rosacea triggers. Sometimes, triggers can induce skin changes that don’t competently resolve.
Common triggers include:
You may also develop worsening symptoms in response to medications, food, detergents, soaps, or fabrics.
How to Practice Rosacea Self-Care
Pathophysiology
The process at play in rosacea involvesinflammationand dilation (widening) of the blood vessels. The inflammation may produce redness, bumps, or sensory discomfort.
Some experts suggest that infection may have a role in rosacea as well.
The condition is associated with several other illnesses, including:
Causes and Triggers of Rosacea
How Is Rosacea Diagnosed?
Rosacea is a clinical diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin and the pattern and timing of the symptoms.The skin’s appearance can resemble other conditions. Rosacea can look likeacne,the butterfly facial erythema of lupus, or allergies.
Generally, the person’s medical and symptom history and triggers can help differentiate these skin reactions. But when the diagnosis is not clear, tests such as blood tests can help identify inflammatory conditions such as allergies or lupus.
There are four types of rosacea:
How Rosacea Is Diagnosed
Treatment for Rosacea
If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, you will need to avoid the common triggers as well as any other factors that make your condition worse. Skin care is important too. To manage skin discoloration (change in skin tone) or redness:
Your healthcare provider will likely recommend using sunscreen to protect your skin from sun exposure. Avoiding heat and sweat can help prevent flare-ups too.
Prescription treatments include oral medications and topical products to apply directly to your skin or eyes. Most prescriptions used in the treatment of rosacea are anti-inflammatories or antibiotics.Depending on the severity, you may be given a prescription to use every day or a prescription to use as needed.
For a long-term solution to visible blood vessels or constant skin discoloration, talk to your healthcare provider about laser and light-based treatments. Laser treatment procedures can reduce some of the cosmetic effects of rosacea.
Although rosacea doesn’t ever go away, you can ease flare-ups and manage symptoms. Wearing sunscreen and avoiding triggers such as heat, wind, spicy food, and alcohol can help prevent skin discoloration, redness, and irritation.
Laser Treatment for Skin Conditions
Coping With Rosacea
Strategies for coping may include:
These strategies may help you feel better about the appearance of your skin and how to manage it.
Living with rosacea can present some emotional challenges. Skin flare-ups can worsen when you are under stress or in response to other emotions such as depression. Being unsatisfied with your facial appearance can lead to depression and anxiety, which may result in a cycle of mood and skin problems.
If your skin condition is taking a toll on your well-being, discuss your feelings with your healthcare provider. You may also benefit from counseling or mindfulness training.
A Word From VerywellRosacea is a chronic skin condition, which means that there is technically no cure for it. As such, therapy is an ongoing process and works best with consistent use of treatments and trigger avoidance.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition, which means that there is technically no cure for it. As such, therapy is an ongoing process and works best with consistent use of treatments and trigger avoidance.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition, which means that there is technically no cure for it. As such, therapy is an ongoing process and works best with consistent use of treatments and trigger avoidance.
—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes discolored (a change in skin tone) or reddened skin and a rash, usually on the nose and cheeks, but can also involve the eyes. Symptoms include flushing, sensitive skin, papules, pustules, and eye irritation. The causes of rosacea are thought to be genetic and environmental.
Although there is no cure, treatment may include using mild skin cleansers, avoiding triggers, and taking oral or topical prescription medications.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Who gets rosacea?
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