Rosacea is a facial rash that occurs in middle-aged men and women. It is three times more common in women, but usually more severe in men. Rosacea used to be called “acne rosacea” but it is different from acne. The red spots and pustules are dome-shaped rather than pointed and there are no blackheads, whiteheads, deep cysts, or lumps. Rosacea affects the cheeks, nose and forehead – rarely, it involves the trunk and upper limbs.
The cause of rosacea is unknown, but many factors have been suspected of influencing it: alcoholism, menopausal and other flushing, a tendency towards seborrhea, local infection, B-vitamin deficiencies and gastrointestinal disorders. Most cases are associated with moderate to severe seborrhea, although in many cases sebum production is not increased. Flushing is prevalent, and migraine headaches are three times more common amongst sufferers. It affects people mainly in their 30s and 40s, especially those with fair-skin, blue eyes or of Celtic origin.
Facial flushing can make symptoms worse and even cause flare-ups in patients whose rosacea had been under control. It is the chronic flushing in rosacea which causes the telangiectasia. Flushing can be triggered by many things, the most common being hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, sunlight and extreme heat or cold. Other causes of flushing and telangiectasia include heredity, exercise, emotions, hormones, cortisone medications and other rare skin diseases.
In more advanced cases of rosacea, a condition called rhinophyma may develop. The oil glands enlarge, causing a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks. Thick bumps can develop on the lower half of the nose and near to the cheeks. Rhinophyma occurs less commonly in women than in men.
Keep your face cool. Experts say you should avoid anything that causes flushing. However, what bothers one person may not cause a problem in another. Keep a diary of flushing episodes and note associated foods, products, activities, medications or other triggering factors.