Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that usually affects only the face and eyes. It can sometimes can be difficult to differentiate from acne.
Characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, rosacea tends to begin after middle age (between the ages of 30 and 60) and is more common in fair-skinned people and women in menopause. An estimated more than 14 million people in the United States have rosacea.
The cause of rosacea is not entirely known. Dilated blood vessels contribute to the redness of the face. Known triggers of rosacea include:
Rosacea often begins with easy blushing and flushing of the face and neck. Eventually, redness will persist around the nose area, extending to the rest of the face.
Rosacea has a variety of clinical symptoms and is classified into the following four types, based on these different symptoms:
In addition, rosacea often affects the eye and eyelid. Eye symptoms may include:
If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, you can help manage the condition by:
At UCLA Dermatology, our treatment goal is to control the symptoms associated with rosacea. Options may include:
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (310) 825-6911.
