As a dermatologist, I have treated many patients suffering from rosacea over the years.  Here are some basic facts about this condition:

• Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that appears to be more common in women than in men.  It usually appears in middle age or later and people who blush easily and/or have fair skin appear to be most at risk.
• Many skin conditions including acne and rosacea are systemic inflammatory disease. which tends to run in families.

• It is characterized by dilated capillaries (tiny blood vessels connecting arteries to veins that carry oxygen and nutrients to individual cells) on the skin’s surface.

• Other symptoms include skin thickening, pimples, bumps, and persistent redness, primarily on the forehead, nose, cheekbones, and chin.  It can also cause discomfort and burning in the eyes and on the eyelids.
• Although rosacea symptoms will come and go, unfortunately, rosacea is a lifetime problem.

While there is no cure for rosacea, there are steps you can take to combat this disorder.  Check in tomorrow for details on how changes in diet can help minimize this form of imflammation.

Have you ever experienced rosacea?