Skinby Skin libraryRashes and redness

Rosacea

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In short

Rosacea is a long-term disease that affects your skin and sometimes your eyes.

What it is1

Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that causes reddened skin and a rash, usually on the nose and cheeks.
National Institutes of Health

The first signs of rosacea include: redness (blushing) across your nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, neck and chest that comes and goes, usually lasting for a few minutes each time – your face may also feel warm, hot or painful; a burning or stinging feeling when using water or skincare products.
NHS website
The redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin.
NHS website
Other symptoms can include: dry skin; swelling, especially around the eyes; yellow-orange patches on the skin; sore eyelids or crusts around roots of eyelashes – this could be blepharitis; thickened skin, mainly on the nose (usually appears after many years).
NHS website
While the condition is chronic (long lasting), rosacea often cycles between flare-ups (when symptoms worsen) and periods of remission (lack of symptoms).
National Institutes of Health
Rosacea can look a lot like other conditions, such as: acne; contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and other types of dermatitis; lupus; keratosis pilaris.
NHS website
Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it's not contagious.
NHS website
Common triggers for rosacea include: alcohol; spicy foods; hot drinks; sunlight; hot or cold temperatures; aerobic exercise, like running; being stressed.
NHS website

There is no cure for rosacea, but there are ways to make your skin look and feel better.
National Institutes of Health
Most people respond well to therapy, but improvement is usually gradual and it can take 3 months or longer to see results.
National Institutes of Health
Treat your skin gently. Wash your face with cleansers made for sensitive skin, and moisturize regularly.
National Institutes of Health
Protect your skin from the sun. Use an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen formulated for the face every day.
National Institutes of Health
Cover your face in cold weather, and try to avoid heat, sunlight and humid conditions.
NHS website
Learn what your triggers are. Many people with rosacea find that certain factors, or triggers, make their symptoms worse.
National Institutes of Health

Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment from a health care provider can help control the symptoms. It can get worse if it's not treated.
NHS website
Pay attention to your eyes. Be alert for eye redness or burning. Many people with rosacea develop eye irritation, and if it is not treated, it can lead to problems with your eyesight.
National Institutes of Health
See a provider urgently if you have rosacea and your eye is painful, your vision is blurred, you are sensitive to light, or your eye is red or feels gritty. These can be signs of keratitis, which can be serious if not treated urgently.
NHS website

These pages describe what the sources say. They cannot say what is going on with your skin.

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