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Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures

Rosacea

Introduction

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease that causes facial redness. Some of its characteristics are similar to acne — small, red, pus-filled bumps or pustules. But the disease has little to do with the pimples and blackheads that commonly afflict teenagers.

Rosacea affects mostly adults, usually people with fair skin, between the ages of 30 and 60. Although it's more common in women, men may develop more apparent signs of the disorder. It's not life-threatening, but it can affect your appearance and lower your self-esteem.

Left untreated, rosacea tends to be progressive – it gets worse over time. However, in most people rosacea is cyclic, which means it may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then signs and symptoms lessen for a while before rosacea flares up again. Rosacea can also be mistaken for other skin problems, such as skin allergy or eczema. It's quite treatable once diagnosed.