Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness and swelling of the face. As the disease progresses, it can cause tiny pimples to appear on and around the reddened area. Rosacea develops over an extended period of time. It may first seem like one may have a tendency to blush easily, have a ruddy complexion or have an extreme sensitivity to cosmetics. Approximately half of rosacea patients experience burning and grittiness of the eyes also known as conjunctivitis, which should be treated immediately. In advanced cases, rosacea can be characterized by an enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks.
Treatment options for rosacea include topical medications in milder cases or oral antibiotics for moderate-severe cases. In certain cases, rosacea can be treated with a small electric needle, state-of-the-art laser therapy or minor surgery to close off dilated blood vessels. While the cause of rosacea is unknown, certain factors can irritate the condition such as too much alcohol, prolonged sun exposure, temperature extremes, irritating cosmetics/detergents, and too much massaging of the face.