A: You’re not alone – 16 million people in the United States have rosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness.
As common as rosacea is, the frequent blushing or flushing associated with the condition frequently embarrasses people. Surveys by the National Rosacea Society found that 3 out of 4 patients said the condition adversely affects their self-confidence.
“Patients with rosacea are usually very frustrated with their symptoms, especially the redness that won’t go away,” says Laurie Kohen, MD, a dermatologist with the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Besides redness, rosacea can cause acne-like bumps, eye irritation, and a thickening of the skin around the nose. According to Dr. Kohen, “the most common bumps are pustules, which are filled with pus and red around the base.”
The good news is that rosacea is usually treatable, and changes in lifestyle and diet may reduce the risk for symptom flare-ups.
What causes rosacea is unclear, but certain factors can set off symptoms. These include exposure to heat, extreme cold, sunlight, stress, alcohol consumption, and intense exercise. Based on patient histories, some foods such as yogurt, sour cream, chocolate, citrus fruits, and avocados may aggravate the condition. Keeping a log of when symptoms surface can help identify and avoid triggers.
Treatment “really depends on the patient and their symptoms and triggers,” Kohen says. “Sometimes topical ointments work great. Others respond well to antibiotics.”
Laser surgery “for getting rid of dilated blood vessels and redness can also work very well,” says Aurora DeJuliis, MD, a skincare specialist with a private practice in Northern New Jersey.
“We have a lot of tools in our repertoire for treating rosacea,” Kohen says. “It’s just a matter of finding the right recipe for that particular patient.”