Rosacea FAQs

by Dr. Rodney Last updated Nov 14, 2020

Rosacea afflicts more than 16 million people in the United States, 300 million in the world. And yet far too few people, including those who suffer from it, truly understand this long-term skin disease. We have here some facts that will help explain rosacea to those affected, as well as and their families and friends.

Rosacea FAQs: What are the types of rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that appears as persistent redness, papules (pink bumps) and pustules (pus-filled bumps) on the face, though it may spread to the ears, chest and back. There are four types of rosacea, each with its own particular signs.

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea – ongoing by flushing and tiny red blood vessels.
Papulopustular rosacea involves swelling and acne-like breakouts.
Phymatous rosacea causes the skin to thicken and irregular surface nodules to appear.
Ocular rosacea affects the eyes, causing them to and feel gritty, irritated and swollen. Often styes develop.

Treat rosacea as soon as possible.

Early detection is crucial for rosacea. Hence, the longer it goes untreated, the worse it gets, becoming more and more difficult to treat as time goes on. Do not ignore the early warning signs.

Rosacea can be mistaken for acne.

There are similarities between acne and rosacea, namely the small, pus-filled bumps. Acne differs in that it produces blackheads, typically occurs in the teen years, and can appear all over the body. Rosacea is a chronic condition that typically shows up between the ages of 30 and 50 and is confined to the facial area and chest.

The problems with mistaking rosacea with acne are :

(1) Delay in correct treatment
(2) Some acne treatments may aggravate rosacea.

Knowing the triggers for rosacea can prevent flare-ups.

Not every rosacea-prone person will react to every trigger. Individuals respond differently. For instance, here are some of the most common triggers.

Sun exposure
Emotional stress
Hot weather
Wind
Exercise
Alcohol
Hot baths
Cold weather
Spicy foods
High humidity

This is a fitting spot to debunk two myths that are hurtful to the afflicted. Rosacea has nothing to do with poor hygiene and is not contagious.

Rosacea FAQs: Do people with dark skin get rosacea?

The typical rosacea patient has light skin and is from a Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. However, that does not mean that dark skin never develops rosacea. It can and it does. The danger is that, when on a darker complexion, the persistent redness may be dismissed and treatment delayed.

There is no cure for rosacea, but there are effective treatments.

Even though rosacea first appeared in medical records in the 14^th century, there is still no cure. We know only what triggers rosacea, and that alone is valuable.

At this time, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical antibiotic. For more severe cases, they may give you an oral antibiotic. Lasers are useful, especially for those spider veins or rhinophyma, the excess tissue that increases the size of the nose.

Rosacea affects quality of life.

No one ever died from rosacea. But, many lives have lost their luster because of it. It can seriously affect enjoyment to the point of depression—regardless of the severity of the condition. For example, rosacea may affect your self-confidence and self-esteem. People with rosacea sometimes avoid public contact. They are unlikely to commit to social engagements. They are embarrassed by their appearance. And bothered by the harsh judgements of others (such as those who think rosacea is due to poor hygiene or from drinking too much). A vicious cycle occurs: Stress is a trigger for rosacea; rosacea triggers stress.

Do not suffer from rosacea any longer than necessary. Our board certified dermatologist, Ife Rodney MD, FAAD is a rosacea expert. She will examine your symptoms as well as your medical history to determine the most effective treatment.

To schedule your consultation at Eternal Dermatology , call 301-678-5772 or book online.

We are conveniently located in Fulton and serve Columbia MD, Clarksville, Ellicott City, Laurel, Bowie, Silver Spring and surrounding areas in PG and Howard County, Maryland.