“People sometimes wait to see a dermatologist until their rosacea becomes unbearable. Dermatologists encourage you to make an appointment long before this happens”.1

Umbrella
What may the Rosacea Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Acne Rosacea
  • Adult Acne
  • Red Face
  • Rosacea

Definition

What is rosacea?

DotS the definition of rosacea may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ (NIAMS) definition is:

“Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that causes reddened skin and a rash, usually on the nose and cheeks. It may also cause eye problems. The symptoms typically come and go, with many people reporting that certain factors, such as spending time in the sun or experiencing emotional stress, bring them on”.2

The (United States) National Rosacea Society’s definition is:

“Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a chronic but treatable condition that primarily affects the central face, and is often characterized by flare-ups and remissions”.3

First Signs

What are the first signs of rosacea?

In Rosacea: Check If You Have Rosacea the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“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

The redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin”.4

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

In Rosacea: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms of Rosacea the NIAMS elaborate on:

“Most people only experience some of the symptoms of rosacea, and the pattern of symptoms varies among individuals. While the condition is chronic (long lasting), rosacea often cycles between flare-ups and periods of remission (lack of symptoms).

The symptoms of rosacea include:

  • Facial redness…
  • Rash…
  • Visible blood vessels…
  • Skin thickening…
  • Eye irritation…”.5

Cause

What causes rosacea?

In Rosacea: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Causes of Rosacea according to the NIAMS:

“Scientists do not know what causes rosacea, but there are a number of theories. They know that inflammation contributes to some of the key symptoms, such as skin redness and rash, but they do not fully understand why inflammation occurs. It may in part be due to the heightened skin sensitivity in people with rosacea, to environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, and TO microbes that inhabit the skin. Both genetic and environmental (nongenetic) factors likely play a role in the development of rosacea”.6

Triggers

What are some rosacea triggers?

In Rosacea: Triggers the NHS elaborate on:

“It’s not known what causes rosacea, but some triggers can make symptoms worse. Common triggers for rosacea include:

  • Alcohol
  • Spicy foods
  • Hot drinks
  • Sunlight
  • Hot or cold temperatures
  • Aerobic exercise, like running
  • Being stressed”.7

In Factors That May Trigger Rosacea Flare-Ups and Rosacea Triggers Survey the (United States) National Rosacea Society include more factors of potential rosacea triggers.

RosaceaRosacea

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diary

RosaceaIs there a diary to use, to find and avoid personal rosacea triggers?

In Rosacea Diary Booklet: An Easy Way To Find and Avoid Your Personal Rosacea Triggers the National Rosacea Society explain how to use their diary.

Common or Not

How common is rosacea?

In If You Have Rosacea, You’re Not Alone according to the National Rosacea Society

“An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea, yet only a small fraction are being treated”.8

Cause

What causes rosacea?

In Rosacea: Causes the (United States) MedlinePlus note:

Rosacea“The cause is not known. You may be more likely to have this if you are:

  • Age 30 to 50
  • Fair-skinned
  • A woman”.9

The NIAMS explain:

“Anyone can get rosacea, but it is more common among these groups:

  • Middle-aged and older adults
  • Women, but when men get it, it tends to be more severe
  • People with fair skin, but it may be underdiagnosed in darker skinned people because dark skin can mask facial redness”.10

Hot Flushes

Is there an association between hot flushes and rosacea?

In Rosacea and Menopause: Hormonal Therapy, published February 2023, the author notes:

“Hormonal balance is an essential factor in reducing rosacea outbreaks. Similarly, the hot flashes that many women experience after menopause can be a precipitating factor in the development of rosacea”.11

Treatment

How is rosacea treated?

In Rosacea: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“If your symptoms don’t improve with the self-care tips below, talk with a member of your healthcare team about a prescription gel or cream. This kind of medicine may help ease symptoms. For more serious rosacea, you might need prescription pills. Laser treatment may be used to reduce flushing and enlarged blood vessels in the face.

How long you need treatment depends on the type of rosacea you have and how serious your symptoms are. Even if your skin calms with treatment, the symptoms often return”.12

In Rosacea: Treatment for Rosacea From A GP the NHS elaborate on:

“Rosacea cannot be cured but treatment from a GP can help control the symptoms. It can get worse if it’s not treated.

A GP may suggest:

  • Prescriptions for creams and gels you put on your skin
  • Taking antibiotics for 6 to 16 weeks

A GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) if treatments are not working”.13

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Hormone Therapy

Is hormone therapy useful for the treatment of postmenopausal women?

In Rosacea and Menopause: Hormonal Therapy the author notes:

“Hormone replacement therapy is useful for postmenopausal women because it can help balance hormones and reduce both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and rosacea. The use of bioidentical hormones and other drugs can reduce inflammation, lessening the intensity of rosacea. Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, antihistamines may also help treat the condition. In addition, the emotional side effects of menopause can be treated with antidepressants, which may lessen the likelihood of stress-induced rosacea flare-ups”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have rosacea?

If you think you have rosacea, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In All About Rosacea the National Rosacea Society explain:

“While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, knowledge of its signs and symptoms has advanced to where they can be effectively controlled with medical therapy and lifestyle changes. Individuals who suspect they may have rosacea are urged to see a dermatologist or other qualified physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment — before the disorder becomes increasingly severe and intrusive on daily life”.15

In Do You Have To Treat Rosacea? Worried Your Rosacea Is Not Serious Enough To Treat? the American Academy of Dermatology | Association encourage us to seek treatment early:

“People sometimes wait to see a dermatologist until their rosacea becomes unbearable. Dermatologists encourage you to make an appointment long before this happens.

The earlier you start treatment, the easier rosacea is to manage”.16

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Rosacea?

In Health Topics A-Z may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Rosacea?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Do You Have To Treat Rosacea? Worried Your Rosacea Is Not Serious Enough To Treat? American Academy of Dermatology | Association https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/treatment/necessary Accessed: 19 December 2023
  2. Rosacea: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Overview of Rosacea. Last Reviewed: May 2021. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rosacea Accessed: 19 December 2023
  3. All About Rosacea: Signs & Symptoms and Treatment. National Rosacea Society https://www.rosacea.org/patients/allaboutrosacea.php Accessed: 19 December 2023
  4. Rosacea: Check If You Have Rosacea. Page Last Reviewed: 17 March 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/symptoms/ Accessed: 19 December 2023
  5. Rosacea: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms of Rosacea. Last Reviewed: May 2021. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rosacea#tab-symptoms Accessed: 19 December 2023
  6. Rosacea: Overview, Symptoms & Causes – Causes of Rosacea? Last Reviewed: May 2021. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rosacea#tab-causes Accessed: 19 December 2023
  7. Rosacea: Triggers. Page Last Reviewed: 17 March 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/symptoms/ Accessed: 19 December 2023
  8. If You Have Rosacea, You’re Not Alone. National Rosacea Society https://www.rosacea.org/patients/index.php Accessed: 19 December 2023
  9. Rosacea: Causes. Review Date: 08 July 2023. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000879.htm Accessed: 19 December 2023
  10. Rosacea: Basics – Who Gets Rosacea? Last Reviewed: May 2021. National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rosacea#tab-risk Accessed: 19 December 2023
  11. Rosacea and Menopause: Hormonal Therapy. Rajab, F. February 2023 https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/rosacea-and-menopause Accessed: 19 December 2023
  12. Rosacea: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 17 October 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815 Accessed: 19 December 2023
  13. Rosacea: Treatment for Rosacea From A GP. Page Last Reviewed: 17 March 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/causes/#triggers-of-rosacea Accessed: 19 December 2023
  14. Rosacea and Menopause: Hormonal Therapy. Rajab, F. February 2023 https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/rosacea-and-menopause Accessed: 19 December 2023
  15. All About Rosacea. National Rosacea Society https://www.rosacea.org/patients/allaboutrosacea.php Accessed: 19 December 2023
  16. Do You Have To Treat Rosacea? Worried Your Rosacea Is Not Serious Enough To Treat? American Academy of Dermatology | Association https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/treatment/necessary Accessed: 19 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 22 March 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 19 December 2023

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