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Signs
and Symptoms
Rosacea may begin as a tendency to
flush or blush easily. In fact, when people with rosacea think about
their pasts, they often remember flushing or blushing more easily
than most. This tendency to flush or blush easily can occur over a
long period of time and may gradually progress to a persistent
redness, pimples and visible blood vessels in the center of the face
that can eventually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose.
Other affected areas may be the neck, ears, chest and back.
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Rosacea affects the eyes in about
half the people who have rosacea |
Rosacea affects the eyes in
approximately
50 percent of the people who have rosacea.
While most common on the face, one
recent study indicated that some people who have rosacea do not have
it on their face at all but rather on their back or elsewhere.
1
Classic Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea
Signs and
symptoms vary from person
to person and are often
intermittent. If you or someone you know exhibits any of the
following, it is best to consult a dermatologist. Rosacea can be
treated and controlled if medical advice is sought in the early
stages. When left untreated, rosacea often gets worse and then
becomes more difficult to treat.
Flushing of Face/Neck
Rosacea can cause redness, similar to that of a blush or sunburn.
The flushing occurs when increased amounts of blood flow through
vessels at a fast rate and the vessels expand to accommodate this
flow. The redness may become more noticeable and persistent as the
disease progresses.
Dry Facial Skin
Some people notice that their facial skin becomes increasingly dry.
Pimples
The pimples of rosacea,
which often occur as the disease progresses, are
different from those of acne because blackheads and whiteheads
(known as comedones)
rarely appear. Rather, people with rosacea have visible small blood
vessels and their pimples—some containing pus—appear as small, red
bumps.
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Rosacea patient with facial redness
and papules |
Red Lines
Some with rosacea notice red lines, called
telangiectasia
(tell-an-jek-taze-yah), which appear when they flush. This is due to
small blood vessels of the face becoming enlarged and showing
through the skin. These red lines usually appear on the
cheeks—especially when the overall redness diminishes.
Bumps on Nose
Nasal bumps, a condition
called rhinophyma
(rye-no-feye-muh), are an uncommon sign seen especially in untreated
rosacea. Men are more likely to experience the small, knobby bumps
on the nose, and
as the number of bumps increases, the nose and
cheeks
may appear swollen.
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Rosacea patient
with rhinophyma |
Facial Burning, Stinging or Itching
A 2002 survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society indicated
that some people who have rosacea suffer physical symptoms, such as
facial burning, stinging or itching.
Reference:
1. Bamford J., Mitchell T, Elliott BA. "The relationship of
rosacea phenotype and extrafacial
lesions." Presented at the May 15-18, 2002 Society for
Investigational Dermatology (SID)
annual meeting, Los Angeles, Calif.

All
content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology |
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While rosacea most
frequently appears on the face, it also may occur on the
ears, scalp, neck, chest, and back. One subtype of
rosacea affects the eyes. |
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