Rosacea
Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Rosacea

What is the definition of Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin problem that makes your face turn red. It may also cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne.

What are the alternative names for Rosacea?

Acne rosacea

What are the causes of Rosacea?

The cause is not known. You may be more likely to have this if you are:

  • Age 30 to 50
  • Fair-skinned
  • A woman

Rosacea causes swelling of the blood vessels just under the skin. It may be linked with other skin disorders (acne vulgaris, seborrhea) or eye disorders (blepharitis, keratitis).

What are the symptoms of Rosacea?

Symptoms may include:

  • Redness of the face
  • Blushing or flushing easily
  • A lot of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face
  • Red nose (may also be bulbous in appearance)
  • Acne-like skin sores that may ooze or crust
  • Burning or stinging feeling in the face
  • Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes

The condition is less common in men, but the symptoms tend to be more severe.

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What are the current treatments for Rosacea?

There is no known cure for rosacea.

Your provider will help you identify the things that make your symptoms worse. These are called triggers. Triggers vary from person to person. Avoiding your triggers may help you prevent or reduce flare-ups.

Some things you can do to help ease or prevent symptoms include:

  • Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen every day.
  • Avoid a lot of activity in hot weather.
  • Try to reduce stress. Try deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
  • Limit spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages.

Other triggers may include wind, hot baths, cold weather, specific skin products, exercise, or other factors.

  • Antibiotics taken by mouth or applied to the skin may control acne-like skin problems. Ask your provider.
  • Isotretinoin is a strong medicine that your provider might consider. It is used in people who have severe rosacea that hasn't improved after treatment with other medicines.
  • Rosacea is not acne and will not improve with over-the-counter acne treatment.

In very bad cases, laser surgery may help reduce the redness. Surgery to remove some swollen nose tissue may also improve your appearance.

Who are the top Rosacea Local Doctors?
Elite in Rosacea
Elite in Rosacea

Thomas Dermatology

9097 W Post Rd Ste 100, 
Las Vegas, NV 
Languages Spoken:
English

James Del Rosso is a Dermatologist practicing medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Del Rosso is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Acne, Rosacea, Actinic Keratosis, and Atopic Dermatitis.

Elite in Rosacea
Dermatology
Elite in Rosacea
Dermatology

Allan D Lee

142 Joralemon St, 
Brooklyn, NY 
Languages Spoken:
English

Hilary Baldwin is a Dermatologist practicing medicine in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Baldwin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Acne, Rosacea, Pustules, and Comedones.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Rosacea
Dermatology
Elite in Rosacea
Dermatology

Henry Ford Medical Center-Farmington Road

6530 Farmington Rd, 
West Bloomfield, MI 
Languages Spoken:
English

Linda Stein is a Dermatologist practicing medicine in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Dr. Stein is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. She is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Acne, Rosacea, Plaque Psoriasis, and Psoriasis.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Rosacea?

Rosacea is a harmless condition, but it may cause you to be self-conscious or embarrassed. It cannot be cured, but may be controlled with treatment.

What are the possible complications of Rosacea?

Complications may include:

  • Lasting changes in appearance (for example, a red, swollen nose)
  • Lower self-esteem
What are the latest Rosacea Clinical Trials?
Role of Angiogenesis in Dermatologic Diseases: A Potential Therapeutic Target

Summary: The researchers believe that pro-angiogenic factors are upregulated in a wide range of dermatologic diseases, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, angiofibromas, Kaposi's sarcoma, angiosarcoma, scars, rosacea, and psoriasis. Select specimens may undergo genetic analysis to investigate underlying molecular pathways associated with dysregulated angiogenesis in cutaneous disease. Biospecimens, ei...

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Split-Face Comparison of 532nm Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP) Laser Treatment Versus Radiofrequency Microneedling in Combination With 532 KTP Laser for Erythematotelangiectatic or Papulopustular Rosacea

Summary: There are 3 main objectives of this proposal as follows: (1) to assess the efficacy of radiofrequency microneedling in the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic and or papulopustular rosacea, (2) to determine the potential for combination treatment of radiofrequency microneedling with the 532 nm KTP laser, and (3) identify potential novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of rosacea.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 03, 2025
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Dinulos JGH. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.

Kroshinsky D. Macular, papular, purpuric, vesiculobullous, and pustular diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 406.

Ní Raghallaigh S. Rosacea and related disorders. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 37.