What Is Rosacea?

Many people want to know - what is rosacea?  Rosacea is a persistent and potentially socially-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin. As a general rule, rosacea is characterized by flare-ups and remissions. This skin disorder ordinarily begins any time after age 30 (but can commence well into the 40's) as a reddening on the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead that proves to be intermittent.

Rosacea has also been known to occur on the chest, neck, ears or scalp. Over a period of time, the redness will become ruddier and the condition more persistent. It is also possible that visible blood vessels may appear at the surface of the skin. If the condition is left untreated, pimples and bumps will frequently develop.

Furthermore, in severe cases of rosacea, the nose may grow bumpy and enlarged from the growth of excess tissue. As a result, a condition known as rhinophyma (pronounced "rhi-no-FY-muh") may occur. This is the disorder that gave the late Carl Maulden his famous, bulbous nose.

Additionally, numerous rosacea patients will experience eye problems. Symptoms of irritation (like a particle of dirt lodged in the eye) or watery bloodshot eyes are typically the complaint.

Even though rosacea can affect almost any portion of the population, people with fair or light skin, who tend to blush/flush easily, are at greatest risk. Rosacea is more frequently diagnosed in women. In spite of that, men appear to experience more severe symptoms. In this situation, it is speculated that men frequently delay seeking out medical care until the condition reaches more advanced stages.

While there is no cure for rosacea, therapies and treatments are available to control or reverse its signs and symptoms.