Most people have never heard of this condition, and yet it affects about 16 million Americans of every age and every ethnicity. It’s a disorder of the blood vessels of the skin that causes redness of the face…much like blushing…and other symptoms. While rosy cheeks are expected on a cold day, for people with rosacea, they experience constant redness that can last for months, which is often a source of embarrassment and low self-esteem. In this video, we’ll review the symptoms of rosacea, its common triggers, and the many treatment options available. We all blush every now and then, but if you have unusually long lasting redness and you develop other signs and symptoms, you may have a skin condition known as rosacea. It’s a chronic progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time. Early on it tends to come and go, with flare-ups lasting weeks or even months. Redness or flushing may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, includin 53- Blood vessels, or visible red lines beneath the skin - Small bumps. These are called either pustules if they are pus-filled, or papules if they are not. These patches of bumps have earned rosacea the nickname “adult acne.” - A red, enlarged nose - Dry and itchy eyes The symptoms of rosacea often appear in stages…First, you may notice yourself blushing more often than usual but then the redness persists over time, as blood vessels close to the skin remain open, or dilated. As symptoms progress, the dilated blood vessels swell and may become visible under the surface of the skin as small red lines. Further inflammation may lead to small, red bumps—the pustules and papules. In about half of patients, rosacea affects the eyes, typically causing dryness, but also causing burning and grittiness. In rare cases, rosacea can threaten one’s vision. In advanced cases, a condition called rhinophyma may develop. Due to enlarging oil glands, the skin on the nose thickens and becomes knobby and the cheek may become puffy. Rhinophyma is rare, and usually affects men. As you can see, rosacea can take on various forms, and depending on the major symptom-redness, bumps, thickened skin or eye involvement—it is classified of one of four subtypes. The subtype is important because it helps your dermatologist develop a treatment plan. Rosacea tends to first occur in people aged 30 to 50. A family history of rosacea puts you at higher risk, as does having fair skin. Women tend to have it more than men, since rosacea is associated with menopause. While we know about these risk factors, we’re still not exactly sure what causes rosacea. Medical researchers are looking into the roles of inflammation, skin bacteria, immune system response and even a type of mite that lives on human skin called the demodex mite. The symptoms of rosacea are often mistaken for other skin problems, like allergies or acne, and are sometimes dismissed as normal signs of aging. But, if bumps and visible blood vessels remain after a redness flare up, you should visit a dermatologist. Because rosacea is a progressive condition, it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is in slowing the disease process. If you are diagnosed, your dermatologist will identify what subtype of rosacea you have based on the symptoms you’re displaying. Taking into account your lifestyle habits and other factors, he or she will determine the best treatment plan for you. A combination of lifestyle changes and medications is usually most effective.