Rosacea patient overview

Overview

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects your face. It causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes small red bumps that can look like acne. It often comes and goes, and can be triggered by things like sunlight, stress, or spicy foods.

Yes, rosacea is quite common. It affects about 1 in 10 people, especially those with fair skin.

It most often affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50, and is more common in people with lighter skin. Women are slightly more likely to get it, but men often have more severe symptoms.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Persistent redness on your nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead.
• Flushing or blushing easily and often.
• Visible small blood vessels (called telangiectasia) on your face.
• Small red bumps or pus-filled pimples that come and go.
• Thickened skin, especially on the nose (more common in men), called rhinophyma.
• Eye symptoms: dry, red, gritty, or swollen eyes (ocular rosacea).

Symptoms in children

• Rosacea is rare in children, but if it occurs, symptoms are similar to adults – facial redness and bumps.
• Eye symptoms like redness, stinging, or sensitivity to light can also happen.

Symptoms in older adults

• In older adults, rosacea may be more persistent and harder to treat.
• Thickened skin on the nose (rhinophyma) is more common in older men.
• Eye symptoms may become more noticeable and can affect vision if not treated.

Causes

Main causes

• The exact cause is not fully understood, but it likely involves a mix of genes, an overactive immune system, and tiny mites (Demodex) that live on your skin.
• Factors that trigger flare-ups vary from person to person.

Risk factors

• Having fair skin, light hair, and light eyes.
• A family history of rosacea.
• Being between 30 and 50 years old.
• Having a tendency to flush easily.
• Certain triggers: sunlight, hot or cold weather, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress, exercise, hot baths, and some skin products.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have eye symptoms that are painful, causing vision changes, or not improving with simple eye care.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have persistent redness, bumps, or visible blood vessels on your face that worry you or affect your confidence.
• If over-the-counter moisturisers and sunscreens do not help.

Diagnosis

A doctor or dermatologist (skin specialist) can usually diagnose rosacea by looking at your skin and asking about your symptoms and triggers. There is no specific test for rosacea.

Tests that may be done

• No lab tests are routinely needed. Sometimes your doctor may take a skin swab to rule out other problems like bacterial infection or acne.

What to expect at your appointment

Your doctor will examine your face and ask about your medical history, what makes your symptoms worse, and how long you have had them. They may also check your eyes. The appointment usually takes about 15–30 minutes.

Treatment

Treatment for rosacea aims to control symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve the appearance of your skin. It often combines self-care steps with medical treatments. There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed very well.

Self-care at home

• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and moisturiser daily.
• Protect your face from the sun every day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30).
• Avoid known triggers like spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol, and extreme temperatures.
• Keep your face cool and avoid over-heating.
• Use mild, non-abrasive skincare products and avoid harsh exfoliants.
• Manage stress with relaxation techniques.

Medical treatments

Your doctor may prescribe creams, gels, or lotions that help reduce redness and bumps. Oral medications (taken by mouth) can also be used for more severe or stubborn symptoms. For visible blood vessels or thickened skin, treatments like laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can help. Always follow your doctor’s advice and never share prescriptions.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed. In cases of severe thickened skin on the nose (rhinophyma), a specialist can remove excess tissue using lasers or minor surgery.

Living with this condition

Living with rosacea means paying attention to your skin and your triggers. With the right routine, most people can keep flare-ups under control and feel confident in their skin.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a diary to identify your personal triggers.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses outdoors.
• Choose gentle, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) skincare.
• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face.
• Stay calm and practice relaxation to reduce stress-related flare-ups.

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet, but avoiding spicy foods, very hot drinks, and alcohol can help. Exercise is good for overall health, but try to avoid overheating – choose cooler environments and stay hydrated.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Rosacea can affect how you feel about your appearance. It is normal to feel embarrassed or anxious sometimes. Talking to a counsellor or joining a support group can help. Remember, you are not alone and the condition is manageable.

Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent rosacea because the exact cause is not known. However, you can reduce flare-ups by avoiding your triggers and using good sun protection every day.

Complications

If left untreated

• Permanent redness, visible blood vessels, and skin thickening.
• Eye problems such as persistent dryness, irritation, and in rare cases, vision loss if eye symptoms are not treated.

Long-term outlook

With proper care and treatment, most people with rosacea can keep their symptoms under good control. The condition may come and go, but it rarely gets worse if managed well. Many people lead full, active lives and feel confident in their skin.

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