Condition Basics

What is rosacea?

Rosacea (say "roh-ZAY-shuh") is a common skin disease that usually affects people over the age of 30. It causes flushing, stinging, and skin changes on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. In lighter skin, redness is common. In darker skin you might see dusky brown areas or yellowish-brown bumps. Rosacea can also cause eye problems.

What causes it?

What causes rosacea isn't known. The ongoing skin changes may be caused by problems with the immune system or issues with blood vessels. Or the changes may be a reaction to microorganisms on the skin or ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. And genetics may be involved, as rosacea seems to run in families.

What are the symptoms?

People with rosacea may have:

• Sensitive, dry skin on the face that may burn or sting.
• A flushed, red face in people with lighter skin. In those with darker skin, there can be dusky brown areas or yellowish-brown bumps.
• Small bumps and pimples or acne-like breakouts.
• Skin that gets coarser and thicker, with a bumpy texture.
• Dry, red, irritated eyes.

In rare cases, rosacea that is not treated may cause lasting effects. These include loss of vision and thickened skin that makes bumps on the nose, called rhinophyma (say "ry-no-FY-muh"). But most cases of rosacea don't progress this far.

How is it diagnosed?

In a person with lighter skin, rosacea is usually diagnosed by the pattern of redness on the face. But in a person with darker skin, redness may not show. Symptoms such as skin on the face that stings or burns or has small bumps can help with diagnosis. Medical tests are not usually needed.

How is rosacea treated?

Doctors can prescribe medicines and other treatments for rosacea. There is no cure, but with treatment, most people can control their symptoms.

• Color changes and breakouts can be treated with:
  • Pills, such as low-dose antibiotics like doxycycline.
  • Skin creams that contain medicine, such as azelaic acid, brimonidine, or metronidazole.
• Redness from tiny blood vessels can be treated with lasers and another light treatment called intense pulsed light (IPL).
• Dry, sensitive skin can be protected with products for sensitive skin, such as moisturizers and sunscreen.
• Dry, red, and irritated eyes can be treated with artificial tears or prescription eyedrops that contain a medicine such as cyclosporine.
• Thickened or bumpy skin on the nose or face can be treated with lasers or surgery.

How can you care for yourself?

• Use your medicines exactly as prescribed.
• Avoid using anything on your skin that causes stinging, burning, or itching.
• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face. Treat your skin gently.
• Protect your face from the sun by wearing sunglasses and hats with wide brims. Try to stay out of the sun or find shade if you are outdoors. Use a sunscreen for sensitive skin with an SPF of 30 or higher on any exposed skin.
• Use soaps, lotions, and makeup made for sensitive skin or rosacea. These don't contain alcohol, aren't abrasive, and won't clog pores. Let your face dry completely before using prescription treatments, moisturizers, or makeup.
• If you have rosacea on your eyelids, put a warm, wet towel, or compress, on your eyes several times a day. Gently wash your eyelids with a washcloth or an eyelid cleanser. Use artificial tears if your eyes feel dry.
• Keep a diary every day for several weeks of things that make your rosacea worse. These may include harsh weather, stress, alcohol, and spicy foods. Hot showers, hot tubs, saunas, or getting too hot during exercise also can make the problem worse.