Rosacea: Symptoms, Causes, Triggers, and Treatment – Complete Guide
Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that often causes facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes pimple-like breakouts. The condition can vary greatly from person to person – some people experience mostly redness and flushing, while others get small bumps and inflammation that resemble acne.
In this guide, you will get an overview of symptoms, what can trigger rosacea, and what usually helps – both in terms of skin care, lifestyle, and medical treatment.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face, especially the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Many people experience that the skin becomes more reactive and more easily irritated than before, and that redness comes and goes – often triggered by triggers such as heat, sun, stress or alcohol.
Rosacea is considered chronic, but with the right treatment and routines, symptoms can often be kept well under control.
What causes rosacea?
There is no single cause, but rosacea may be linked to:
- Genetics
- Overactive immune system/skin inflammation
- Weakened skin barrier and increased reactivity
- Disease, medications
- Imbalance in the gut
- Microorganisms on the skin (e.g. Demodex mites may play a role in some)
Rosacea symptoms: what does it look like?
Here are some of the most common symptoms of rosacea. Do you recognize any of these? If your skin does not calm down, it may be a good idea to visit a doctor and get a referral to a dermatologist. There are often long waiting times at a dermatologist, so don't wait too long if you have a lot of problems.
The most common symptoms of rosacea are:
- Persistent redness of the face (especially cheeks and nose)
- Flushing (sudden redness that comes in waves)
- Visible blood vessels (burst blood vessels/“threads”)
- Pimples and inflamed acne (without blackheads)
- Stinging, burning, or prickling of the skin
- Dehydrated and sensitive skin with a weakened skin barrier
- Eye problems (irritation, dry eyes) in some people – this could be ocular rosacea
Important: Rosacea can resemble both acne and perioral dermatitis. If you are unsure what you have, or if your symptoms get worse, it is a good idea to get an evaluation from a doctor/dermatologist.
Different types of rosacea
Rosacea is often divided into different subgroups, and many have a combination of:
1) Redness-dominated rosacea (flushing and burst blood vessels)
Here, redness, a feeling of warmth and visible blood vessels are the most prominent.
2) Papulopustular rosacea (pimples and inflammation)
Causes pimple-like eruptions, often on the cheeks and nose – but typically without blackheads, which is common with acne.
3) Thickened skin (phymatous rosacea)
Most commonly known as nasal thickening. This is less common.
4) Eye rosacea
Causes irritation, red eyes, burning and a feeling of sand in the eye. This should be evaluated by a doctor if you suspect it.
Rosacea triggers: this can worsen the skin
Here are some known triggers for rosacea. Try to find a balance where you don't expose yourself to more triggers than your body can handle. For example, if you have a lot of stress in your life that you can't get rid of, you can cut out caffeine and perfume in your skin care. The fewer triggers, the better your skin will be.
- Caffeine: Coffee, matcha, green tea, black tea. Try herbal tea and Golden Latte instead.
- Sugar (artificial sugar imitation and regular), wheat flour and other fast carbohydrates. Another good reason to cut out sugar.
- Stress, anger and emotional triggers.
- Perfumed skin care products, retinol, harsh acids. Both natural and artificial fragrances can trigger rosacea. Keep your skin care regimen simple with few products if you have symptoms of rosacea.
- Sun, and intense heat/cold. Be careful with extreme heat or cold. Wear a cap and stay in the shade.
- Hormones are a big trigger for rosacea.
- Alcohol. Especially red wine.
- Illness and medications affect the entire body including the skin.
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