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 What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin disorder which often begins as a redness, like a blush, appearing on the face – usually on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. The redness may gradually appear on the ears, chest, back and eyes. At first, the redness may come and go, but over time, it can become more persistent, and visible blood vessels and tiny pimples may appear. Some people may also feel a burning or itching sensation on the face.
Rosacea is progressive, meaning if symptoms are not treated, and triggers are not managed, they may worsen over time. Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) condition, and while there is no cure, its symptoms can be reduced and managed. Rosacea is not contagious, so you can’t “catch it” from being in contact with someone who has it.
Because the early symptoms of rosacea often look like a rash, sunburn or allergy, many people with rosacea don’t realize that they have a treatable condition. There are several phases of rosacea, depending on the severity of the case:
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Mild:
Symptoms include a tendency to flush or blush easily, and persistent redness in the center of the face.
This redness comes from dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface.
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Moderate:
In the moderate stage of rosacea, in addition to the redness, small red bumps may appear accross the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin.
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Severe:
In severe case, enlarged sebaceous glands on the nose and sometimes the cheeks lead to a build-up of tissue and redness.
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How to Manage Rosacea?
While rosacea cannot currently be cured, with proper skin care, lifestyle management and/or medical treatment, its signs and symptoms can be reduced. Signs and symptoms of rosacea can be different from one person to the next, so your doctor will determine the right management strategy for you.
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Rosacea Triggers
Like many other skin conditions, rosacea symptoms may come and go on their own. Some people may go for weeks, even months, without any symptoms. You may notice that certain factors in your daily life may cause your rosacea symptoms to “flare-up” (an intense outbreak of redness, bumps and/or pimples).These factors are known as “triggers” and can include things like the weather or certain foods you eat and drink. Triggers can be very different between one person to the next, and it is important for you to keep track of your triggers in a journal or diary, to help you avoid them and minimize flare-ups.
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What to Expect
Because rosacea is a chronic condition, you should expect symptoms to periodically flare up or get better. Following your doctor’s advice with the right treatment and skin care regimen can help you keep your skin clear and manage the occasional flare-ups. Your doctor is the best resource to start with, to obtain the diagnosis of rosacea and for recommendations on the best treatment program for you.
There are many other sources of information and support which can help you understand rosacea and the information provided by your doctor.
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Rosacea Awareness Program
The Rosacea Awareness Program (RAP) provides public education on rosacea. The program is funded through an educational grant from Galderma Canada Inc. For more information, visit www.rosaceainfo.com
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The Galderma website is not intended to promote the use of Galderma products or to provide information on which to base medical treatment. Please consult a dermatologist or other healthcare professional for more information about your condition and the product that is right for you.
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