Learn About 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.
Acne 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).
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.
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.
Raja K. Sivamani, MD Private Practice
Raja Sivamani is a Dermatologist in Sacramento, California. Dr. Sivamani has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. His top areas of expertise are Rosacea, Actinic Keratosis, Atopic Dermatitis, and Acne. Dr. Sivamani is currently accepting new patients.
Bassett Oneonta Specialty Services
. Dr. Bravin is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. Her top areas of expertise are Actinic Keratosis, Melanoma, Warts, and Psoriasis.
Aurora Dermatology
David Crosby is a Dermatologist in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Dr. Crosby is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rosacea. His top areas of expertise are Comedones, Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, and Actinic Keratosis.
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.
Complications may include:
- Lasting changes in appearance (for example, a red, swollen nose)
- Lower self-esteem
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.
Summary: Topical metronidazole is a widely used first line treatment for erythemotelangiectatic and inflammatory rosacea. Commonly, a moisturizer is also used to restore the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. The purpose of this study is to assess the whether the common practice of applying moisturizer prior to topical metronidazole affects this medication's stratum corneum penetrance in rosacea patient...
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.
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.