Rosacea is a very common disorder characterized by symptoms of facial flushing and a collection of other clinical signs such as facial redness, broken capillaries, coarseness of the skin, and an inflammatory eruption that may be similar to acne.

The hallmark of rosacea is persistent redness in the central portion of the face that lasts for at least three months. This redness may be associated with flushing, broken capillaries (medically called telangiectasias), and an acne-like skin eruption. However, unlike acne, the skin eruption in rosacea does not have any blackheads.

Patients often find that the first symptom of rosacea is a tendency to flush or blush easily. The condition generally starts in the center of the face and then extends to involve the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. Then over a long period of time, potentially years, the condition progresses to a persistent redness with visible blood vessels and possibly also pimples and bumps. With time, the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent. In the more severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy, a condition known medically as rhinophyma. (It is believed that W.C. Fields had rosacea which caused a rhinophyma on his nose.)

Rosacea is very common. It is estimated that over 14 million Americans have rosacea. It is most common in individuals with light complexions, blonde hair, and blue eyes. It can affect people of any age, including children, but is most common between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.

Although the cause of rosacea is not known, several factors are known to play a role in its development. The condition is more common in women than in men. In addition, genetics is also clearly a factor, and the condition may be inherited. Evidence suggests that sun exposure is also a contributing factor in the development of rosacea.

There are also certain “triggering factors” that may exacerbate a patient’s rosacea. When present, these need to be identified and avoided as much as possible. Common triggering factors are hot and cold temperatures, wind, hot drinks, caffeine, exercise, spicy foods, alcohol, certain emotions, and medications that cause flushing.

Because rosacea is a complex condition, it has been divided into subtypes, which are determined based on the appearance of the skin. This subdivision helps classify rosacea. However, patients may have the findings of more than one subtype at the same time.