Everybody is familiar with short periods of redness on the face, for example in embarrassing situations, and it is called blushing. However, some people suffer from longer periods of redness in the face and this can be a symptom of rosacea. It is a skin disease characterized by facial redness and sometimes accompanied with pimples. Rosacea is a chronic condition, it is seen 3 times more often in woman than men. Typically, the disease affects people with a white skin and it starts between the age of 40 till 60. The facial redness is primarily seen on the cheeks, the nose and sometimes on parts of the forehead. If you look closely at the red zones, you can see several little dilated blood vessels which are called telangiectasia. In some cases there are also papules and pustules.

Rosacea can be subdivided in three stages. Stage 1 is like blushing, but unlike blushing, the redness can last for hours. There are telangiectasia and the face can be hypersensitive during cold, wind and cleansing. Stage 2 is alike stage 1, but with the presence of papules and pustules and the skin pores are enlarged and visible. In contradiction with other forms of acne, no bacteria can be identified. With stage 3 there are big pustules, sometimes with infiltrations. The skin is roughen, this sometimes makes the face contours change. In the end-stage of this process, the skin becomes thick and pasty. This occurs in most cases at the nose and is then calles rhinophyma. Rosacea can also affect the eyes, which feels like there is sand in the eyes.
If you suffer from rosacea it is important to treat your face gentle, wash it with luke warm water and soap-free products, don’t rub your face dry and avoid irritating cosmetic products. Furthermore, mild rosacea can be treated with a locally applied antibiotic creme. For moderate rosacea you can use antibiotics orally, possibly combined with antibiotic creme. Severe rosacea can be an indication for Roaccutane, a retinoid which derives from vitamin A  (see also: back acne treatment). This is a very effective treatment but is only used for patients that fail to respond to all other forms of treatment because of the serious potential side effects. If you are treated with Roaccutane, the doctor will regullary check your blood to monitor the effects of the medication on your kidney and liver.

Rosacea is a skin disease which can occur in different stadia. If you suffer from long lasting facial redness it is wise to contact a doctor, there might be some form of treatment to help you.