Rosacea

According to rosacea.org:

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder of the central face (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead) that affects over 16 million Americans.

It presents with flushing, red-faced, acne-like inflammatory bumps and pimples, pustules, or visible blood vessels (telangiectasia or "spider-veins"). The nose may grow swollen and bumpy (rhinophyma). Rosacia may also affect the eyes (ocular rosacea), causing irritation, watering, or bloodshot appearance.

In rare cases, rosacea signs and symptoms may also develop beyond the face, most commonly on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

This disorder tends to come and go, and tends to progress in severity over time.

The cause of rosacea is unknown [and probably multifactorial]. Although there is no cure, its signs and symptoms can be controlled by [individualized] medical interventions and lifestyle changes.

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

According to rosacea.org:

Rosacea can vary substantially from one individual to another, and in most cases some rather than all of the potential signs and symptoms appear. Diagnosis requires at least one diagnostic sign or two major signs of rosacea [Gallo2018  🕮 ]. Various secondary signs and symptoms may also develop but are not diagnostic.

Diagnostic Signs of Rosacea

The presence of either of these signs is diagnostic of rosacea:

•     Persistent Facial Redness: may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away. [Photo courtesy of National Rosacea Society; click to expand, back to shrink.]
  


•     Skin Thickening: The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose (rhinophyma), which in severe cases can lead to inadequate nasal airflow. [Photo courtesy of National Rosacea Society; click to expand, back to shrink.]
  

Major Signs of Rosacea

The presence of at least two of these signs is diagnostic of rosacea:

• Flushing: Frequent blushing or flushing, which may be accompanied by a sense of heat, warmth or burning that comes and goes.
  
•     Bumps and Pimples: Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop, but unlike acne, blackheads are absent. [Photo courtesy of National Rosacea Society; click to expand, back to shrink.]
  


• Visible Blood Vessels: prominent and visible small blood vessels called telangiectasia occur on the cheeks, nasal bridge, and other areas of the central face.
  
• Eye Irritation: The eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot (ocular rosacea). The eyelids may become red and swollen, and styes are common. Crusts and scale may accumulate around the eyelids or eyelashes. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and loss of visual acuity.

Secondary Signs and Symptoms

These may appear with one or more of the diagnostic or major signs:

• Burning, Stinging, Itching, or a Feeling of Tightness: may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.
  
• Facial swelling: (Edema) or raised red patches (plaques) may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.
  
•     Dryness: The central facial skin may be rough, and appear scaly despite otherwise complaints of oily skin. [Photo courtesy of National Rosacea Society; click to expand, back to shrink.]
  

Conventional Treatments

Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative Treatments