Face facts
Even though living with rosacea may feel challenging, remember that you are not alone. Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans.
Living with rosacea often goes beyond the physical symptoms. For some, the physical symptoms of inflammatory rosacea can have a significant emotional impact. In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society of more than 1,200 rosacea patients:
- 76% of patients surveyed said rosacea lowered their self-confidence
- 41% said rosacea caused them to avoid public or social engagements
Sound familiar? Seek help! Studies on rosacea patients found that as symptoms improved with effective treatment, so did quality of life.
Signs and symptoms
Rosacea shows up differently on everyone. Some people display just one symptom, while others show multiple. These symptoms are the most common:
- Bumps and blemishes on the face (inflammatory rosacea papules and pustules)
- Tendency to blush or flush easily
- Persistent facial redness
- Small visible blood vessels
- Facial discomfort, burning or stinging sensation, tightness, dryness or itch
- Burning, itching or watery eyes and/or swollen eyelids
- Thickening skin on the nose, cheeks and/or forehead

Rosacea skin care tips that can help keep flare-ups at bay
Gentle skin care, along with treatment and rosacea trigger avoidance, can help manage your symptoms. A dermatologist can recommend products that are less likely to irritate rosacea skin.
General things to avoid:
- Cleansers with harsh soaps or alcohol
- Rough washcloths, brushes or sponges
- Exposure to direct sunlight on the face
- Waterproof cosmetics or heavy foundations that require scrubbing to remove
Healthy habits to practice:
- Use fragrance-free products—they have less potential for irritating rosacea skin
- Blot skin dry with a soft cotton towel after washing
- Use a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen daily
- Green-tinted makeup may help counter the redness of rosacea
Rosacea triggers
Symptoms of rosacea can be triggered by a wide variety of factors. Rosacea triggers vary from person to person. Try to identify your triggers so you can avoid them.
-
Environment
Sun, strong wind, cold and hot temperatures
-
Foods
Spicy and hot (temperature) foods, dairy products, some beans, certain fruits and chocolate
-
Beverages
Alcohol, hot drinks
-
Medical Conditions
Menopause, chronic cough, caffeine withdrawal syndrome
-
Lifestyle
Stress and anxiety, strenuous exercise
Frequently Asked Questions
-
No, rosacea is not an infectious or contagious disease.
-
Although no scientific research has been performed on rosacea and heredity, nearly 40% of rosacea patients surveyed by the National Rosacea Society reported having family members with similar symptoms.
-
It’s unclear exactly how and when, but symptoms of rosacea often progress over time. Most experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment are essential to help avoid worsening symptoms and permanent skin changes (skin thickening, visible blood vessels and resistant rosacea papules).
-
Rosacea is a chronic disorder often characterized by relapses and remissions. Rosacea cannot be cured, but medical treatments are available that can help manage its signs and symptoms.
-
No. Rosacea generally affects the face, whereas atopic eczema can appear on various areas of the body.
-
There are 4 basic types of rosacea, although they share some of the same symptoms: facial redness, rosacea bumps and blemishes, skin thickening and ocular (eye) rosacea. Your doctor or dermatologist can determine the type of rosacea you have, and can discuss the best treatment option that will help manage your symptoms. ORACEA Capsules are a convenient, once-daily treatment for the bumps and blemishes of rosacea.
-
Itchy skin is commonly reported by many rosacea patients.1 And people with ocular rosacea may experience eye symptoms that include a watery or bloodshot appearance and a dry, gritty feeling with burning, itching and/or stinging. Eye symptoms may appear before or after any rosacea skin signs or symptoms.
Rosacea Relief
It’s never too early to be proactive. If you think you have rosacea or want to learn more about living with it, talk to your doctor and ask for a full list of symptoms, rosacea triggers and tips to help prevent flare-ups. Ask your doctor what treatment might be right for you.