- Rosacea is usually concentrated on the face. Sometimes, the rash affects the entire face, but more often, the flush and/or welts are concentrated around the cheeks, nose and forehead. Rosacea welts can resemble acne. They are small and are sometimes filled with pus. The noses of those affected can appear larger and bulbous. About 50 percent of those with rosacea will go on to develop conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Doctors diagnose rosacea visually. No additional tests are required.
- The exact cause of rosacea is not known at this time. Research theorizes rosacea could be caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors. Although no research proves that rosacea is inherited, about 40 percent of people with rosacea who were surveyed by the National Rosacea Society said they had a close relative who had similar symptoms. It is also probably that ethnic background comes into play. Another survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society shows that 33 percent of respondents had at least one parent of Irish heritage, and 27 percent had a parent of English descent. Other ethnic groups with higher rates of rosacea than the general U.S. population included people of Scandinavian, Scottish, Welsh or eastern European backgrounds. According to the National Rosacea Society, certain substances or events that dilate the blood vessels can act as a rosacea "trigger." Triggers vary from person to person and can lead to either a flareup or impaired healing.
- It's important for those with rosacea to identify their personal triggers so they can avoid them to help prevent the rosacea from progressing. Once a blood vessel dilates, it expands and loses flexibility. If left untreated, the blood vessels may continually remain dilated, and so the skin may remain permanently red or flushed. Common rosacea triggers include alcohol, hot drinks, coffee, spicy foods, extreme temperatures, exposure to the sun, strong winds, hot baths/saunas and stress. Medicines that dilate the blood vessels, such as anti-hypertensives (medicines to lower blood pressure) can also trigger rosacea flareups in some people.
- The skin is the body's largest organ and helps to eliminate waste. Skin conditions such as rosacea are often linked with digestive problems. Many people with rosacea also have low stomach acid. This may create a favorable condition in which the bacteria that affect the skin can thrive. Similarly, poor digestion and constipation can have the same results on the skin.
- People usually first experience rosacea in their 30s or 40s. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men. But men tend to experience more severe rosacea than women. Rosacea may have links to hormonal imbalances. Pre-menopausal and menopausal women may find that their rosacea is flaring up while their hormone levels are out of balance. Conversely, some women experience flareups when they take birth control pills or synthetic hormone replacement therapies.
