Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It may appear as redness, prominent spider-like blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne.
Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, you are more likely to develop this harmless skin condition if:
You are fair skinned.
You blush easily.
You are a woman. However, men are usually more severely affected.
You are between the ages of 30 and 50.
Rosacea involves enlargement of the blood vessels just under the skin and may be associated with other skin disorders (acne vulgaris, seborrhea) or eye disorders (blepharitis, keratitis).
Symptoms
Redness of the face in discrete areas or covering the entire face
A tendency to flush or blush easily
Increased vascularity (spider-like blood vessels called telangiectasia) of the face
A red, bulbous nose
Acne-like skin eruptions (may ooze or crust)
A burning or stinging sensation of the face
Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes
Signs and tests
Your physician can usually diagnose rosacea with a thorough medical history and physical exam.
Treatment
There is no known cure for rosacea. The goal is to identify and avoid possible triggers, and thus reduce flare-ups. In fact, the National Rosacea Society strongly recommends that you keep a symptom diary to identify the specific triggers you may have. As you keep track of your symptoms, you should start to see a pattern within several weeks of what makes your rosacea worse. Use this information to avoid future flare-ups.
Rhinophyma (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Rhinophyma is a large, bulb-shaped, red-colored (ruddy) nose. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/26/2006). Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/03/2008
Acne (12 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acne is a skin condition characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples or "zits." Reviewer: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/14/2008
Cyst(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material. Reviewer: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 10/28/2008
Print
