Redness & Rosacea

Rosacea is a lifelong auto-inflammatory skin condition identified by visible blood vessels and redness on the face and is usually episodic.

There is currently no cure for rosacea, so it is important to focus on prevention or reducing flare-ups. It can appear as mild redness and flushing to a more severe, itchy rash and swelling.

Rosacea is unique to each individual as it is often brought on by triggers which will depend on an individual's lifestyle and diet. Triggers can be cyclic, where flare-ups occur for weeks or months and then disappear for a period of time.

Identifying your personal triggers can help you know what to avoid. Some typical triggers include alcohol, stress, exercise or spicy food.

There are four subtypes of rosacea. With each subtype having its own symptoms. It is possible to have more than one subtype of rosacea at a time.

• Subtype 1 Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR): This subtype is associated with facial redness or flushing, swelling and visible blood vessels or broken capillaries
• Subtype 2 Papulopustular Rosacea: This subtype is associated with acne-like breakouts and is often misdiagnosed as acne, it often affects middle-aged women. Typically, it presents as redness across the central area of the face and can occasionally present with papules & pusules
• Subtype 3 Rhinophyma Rosacea: This subtype is a more rare form of rosacea often associated with thickening of the skin on your nose but can also appear on the cheeks and chin. It usually affects men and is often accompanied by another subtype of rosacea
• Subtype 4 Ocular Rosacea: This suptype is centered on the eye area. It can present as stinging, watering and burning of the eye area

Symptoms of rosacea vary between the different subtypes but common symptoms can be as mild as flushing right up to intense swelling, burning and stinging.

• Symptoms of Subtype 1: Swollen, sensitive skin, flushing & redness in the center of the face, visible broken blood vessels and in some cases stinging and burning of the skin. Skin can be rough and dry
• Symptoms of Subtype 2: Severe redness, oily & sensitive skin, acne-like breakouts and bumps on the skin, broken capillaries
• Symptoms of Subtype 3: Thickened skin on nose, chin & cheeks, bumpy or rough skin skin texture, broken capillaries and visible pores
• Symptoms of Subtype 4: Broken blood vessels on eyelids, eyes feel gritty and are bloodshoot and watery, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes, can cause light sensitivity