Rosacea
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then diminish for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, an allergic reaction or other skin problems.
Rosacea can occur in anyone. But it most commonly affects middle-aged women who have fair skin. While there's no cure for rosacea, treatments can control and reduce the signs and symptoms.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
Signs and symptoms of rosacea may include:
- Facial redness
- Swollen red bumps
- Eye problems
- Enlarged nose
What are the causes of rosacea?
The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it could be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene.
A number of factors can trigger or aggravate rosacea by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin. Some of these factors include:
- Hot drinks and spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Temperature extremes
- Sunlight or wind
- Emotions
- Exercise
- Cosmetics
- Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications
What are the risk factors?
Anyone can develop rosacea. But you may be more likely to develop it if you:
- Are a woman
- Have fair skin, particularly if it has been damaged by the sun
- Are over age 30
- Smoke
- Have a family history of rosacea