Lighter-skinned people are more affected by rosacea than dark-skinned people. Rosacea skin condition is not contagious. It does not spread easily from person to person.

People with rosacea get small red bumps or flushing of the face. Commonly affected areas are, for example, cheeks, nose, and forehead. But it can also develop on the chest, neck, and ears as well. If it affects the cornea of the eye, the condition can quickly become serious. When it affects the eye, seek immediate medical attention.

Overview of common symptoms

Rosacea presents itself in many ways. 

• Flushed feeling in the face (it would look like you’re blushing). Usually, this is the first symptom to occur. The onset is slow and may take years to progress.
• Parts of the face take on a reddish tinge, causing it to look like sunburn as a result.
• Your face may break into small cysts called pustules or small lumpy red spots called papules. Mostly they go away on their own but may require treatment in some cases.
• Telangiectasia is the condition when tiny blood vessels appear prominently on your face.
• In about half the cases, symptoms related to the eye may present themselves. Such as a feeling of something in the eye or itchy/burning or stinging eyes or dryness. Light sensitivity, inflammation of the eyelid or cyst formation are also symptoms as well.
• If the front of the eye gets inflamed, seek medical attention right away.
• On rare occasions, skin becomes thickened in some places. An unsightly bumpy nose rarely occurs in men.
• The affected areas include the skin on your cheeks, forehead, nose, and around your mouth and chin. It is very rare for arms and legs to become affected.
• In most cases, people do not experience pain or feel itchy. Sometimes, they may feel a mild burning sensation in the affected areas. Complications are rare, even if the condition can look bad and stressful.

Some people may get a set of the above-mentioned symptoms while others may present with only one or two of them. Spots appear in most cases but some cases may not have spotted at all. You can get a large bumpy nose even without other symptoms. Occasionally eye symptoms present themselves before other symptoms.

Causes

It is unclear what triggers this condition. Some factors that are suspected to cause rosacea are, for example:

• Inflammation caused by abnormal reactions of the immune system
• The condition may be genetic and run in families
• Abnormal or leaky blood vessels under the affected skin
• Damage to the skin because of excessive sun exposure
• Usually, a tiny mite that lives harmlessly on our skin is found in large numbers on those with rosacea. The name of the mite is Demodex folliculorum.
• Similar symptoms to rosacea arise when steroid creams have been used for a long period.

Diagnosis

It is a straightforward diagnosis in most cases based on visible symptoms. However, doctors may sometimes request a blood test. This is to rule out the presence of any other condition, an underlying cause. An underlying cause such as systemic lupus erythematosu.

Treatment

While there is no preventive measure or cure for rosacea skin condition condition, some treatments can help you manage the symptoms. They can vary from person to person, based on the severity of symptoms.

General measures

• Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight. Always use sunscreen on the face before stepping out in the sun. Use one with SPF 30 or higher along with other protective gear, for example, a wide-rimmed hat.
• Avoid using steroid creams unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• Choose a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream. Pick one that is not perfumed and is not greasy if you have very dry skin.
• Using electric razor instead of a manual one with blades help men manage symptoms better. It is best to avoid using substances and creams that may sensitize your facial skin.

Treatment for rosacea red face and broken capillaries

Avoid using strong cleansers that contain acetone or alcohol. Similarly, avoid oil-based makeup. It is often sold under the garb of being waterproof. Additionally, avoid strong insect repellents and perfumed sunscreens. Conceal Erythema and telangiectasia using camouflage creams.

Laser therapy

A laser with a particular wavelength destroys tiny blood vessels. These blood vessels are right under the skin. Yet, it does not cause damage to the nearby tissue. Some people have reported this to be effective in the removal of telangiectasia. Additionally, it improves erythema.

Treatment for rosacea spots and cysts

No proven bacteria trigger the onset of rosacea. Perhaps because some antibiotics work not only by killing the bacteria but by bringing down the inflammation. If you only have a few small spots, you could treat it with a rub-on ointment called metronidazole.
It is important to finish the course of antibiotics as instructed by your doctor. For some, it may take 12 weeks of antibiotics to get rid of cysts and spots. Rosacea skin condition may reoccur and is managed using precautions. Precautions can include applying the dose of the topical antibiotic cream periodically. One may need repeated courses of the treatment if the condition is persistent and problematic.

Treatment for rosacea eye problems

Eye symptoms are rare and when they do occur, may not warrant any treatment. For example:

• Make sure your eyes do not become excessively dry. Using artificial tears will help.
• A routine to ensure good eyelid hygiene will minimize chances of inflammation of the eye.
• If the symptoms become problematic, a course of antibiotic medicines may be prescribed.
• You may need to consult a specialist if your condition becomes severe or painful. This is extremely rare and steroid drops may be prescribed to treat it.

Treatment for rosacea nose

In rare cases, particularly among men, thickened skin around the nose can cause it to become big, unsightly, bumpy. Rhinophyma is the name of this condition. In such conditions, surgical or laser treatment works well.

Prevention

In conclusion, avoid exposure to excessive heat or cold and performing strenuous exercise. Additionally, avoid eating spicy food, being in stressful situations, and sun exposure. Some people have reported eating tomatoes or peppers aggravates their symptoms. Try to eat a balanced diet, consume small amounts of alcohol and avoid smoking.

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