Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects around 16 million Americans and 45 million people worldwide. It’s a skin disease commonly mistaken for acne, rashes, or skin allergies. It’s so poorly understood and is associated with so many myths and misinformation to the point that most people really don’t have any idea what it’s all about.
Rosacea is basically a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation of the small blood vessels under the skin, causing redness in the face. This inflammation can also produce small, pus-filled bumps that could be mistaken for pimples or acne.
Rosacea is not a life-threatening condition but it is progressive; which means if left untreated it can get worse over time. It can lead to skin infections and it can lead to scarring. Rosacea is also cyclic, meaning the signs and symptoms would flare up at intervals for weeks or months at a time. These intervals can be regular or it may be triggered by certain factors like the weather, medication, or types of food. This is why rosacea can be mistaken for eczema or skin allergies.
There are basically four types of rosacea. The first type is called erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and it is characterized by flushing and facial redness that doesn’t subside. Patients with this kind of rosacea may feel a stinging sensation on their face and their skin could get rough and scaly. With proper skincare for rosacea you can avoid these conditions.
The second type of rosacea is called papulopustular rosacea and this type is commonly mistaken for acne. Patients with this type of acne have persistent redness, bumps, pimples, and raised patches of skin.
The third type of rosacea is called phymatous rosacea and this type of rosacea is characterized by rhinophyma, a condition where the nose grows due to excess tissue. Other areas of the face may also grow due to thickening of the skin and irregular surface nodules.
The last type of rosacea is ocular rosacea. In ocular rosacea, the eyes become irritated. They would appear watery and bloodshot. Rosacea sufferers would feel a stinging or burning sensation in their eyes and their eyelids would get swollen.