What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin disease marked by persistent facial redness and flushing. Typically, the redness is located on the cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. Sometimes, facial redness is accompanied by swollen red bumps which resemble acne. Usually, rosacea symptoms emerge around age 30, presenting first as redness in the central face. Initially, the symptoms may come and go, but over time, the redness can become more persistent—appearing drastically more inflamed and swollen. Other symptoms may also emerge including: swollen red nose, burning skin, rough dry patches, large pores, broken blood vessels, and vision issues.  

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but researchers have found that it can be attributed to an overactive immune system, environmental factors, and genetics. Rosacea is more commonly found in women, but it can also affect men (and usually with more severity). Overall, rosacea primarily manifests in those that are fair-skinned and/or from Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. However, people of all skin colors can develop rosacea. Although rosacea is a chronic skin condition, it is fairly common and can be effectively controlled with medical treatment.