Rosacea is a chronic condition that primarily affects the facial skin, usually causing flushing and redness. Although an estimated 14 million Americans have the condition, only a small percentage of those affected are aware of it. There are different theories about the progression of the disease. While progression of rosacea is unpredictable, in most people, rosacea is cyclic: it may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then signs and symptoms lessen for a while before flaring up again.

Rosacea usually affects people between 30 and 50 years of age, and tends to be more common in those with fair complexions. While more women than men are diagnosed with rosacea (especially during menopause), the symptoms tend to be more severe in men.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea, and symptoms tend to grow more pronounced without treatment. Complying with medical treatment and avoiding things that trigger rosacea symptoms may, however, help control rosacea symptoms in the long term.

Here are some of the symptoms people with rosacea may experience over time:

• Rosacea can vary substantially from one person to another.
• Rosacea sufferers typically experience flushing and persistent facial redness.
• Many people with the condition also have bumps and/or pimples that may look like acne.
• For still others, rosacea may cause excess tissue to form on the nose, a condition known as rhinophyma. A small percentage of rosacea sufferers develop ocular rosacea, which affects the eyes and eyelids. Symptoms can include a watery or bloodshot appearance, irritation and burning or stinging, and the formation of styes.
• In addition, people with rosacea often say their skin feels uncomfortable. In a survey by the National Rosacea Society, 78% of rosacea sufferers reported discomfort or pain.

The cause of rosacea is unknown but it tends to run in families. Up to 40% of affected men and women have a family member with rosacea. While researchers think rosacea may be caused by bacteria, mites, blood vessel damage, stress,or some combination of those things, no one knows for sure exactly what causes the condition.

Recent research suggests that rosacea may be caused, in part, by an abnormal immune response triggered by a substance known as cathelicidin. Rosacea sufferers have an increased amount of cathelicidin and process it abnormally. This may explain why certain things that may pose no threat to non-rosacea suffers can, in the rosacea sufferer, trigger inflammation.

But rosacea doesn't have to get in the way of you living your life to the fullest. By avoiding your triggers (click here to go to "Triggers"), talking to your dermatologist about effective treatment, and using a specialized skin-care routine (click here to go to "Your Routine"), you can help manage the symptoms of mild to moderate rosacea.

The majority of patients with rosacea report experiencing burning, stinging, itching, and flushing, with minimal stimulation. These symptoms are at least partially due to the fact that rosacea patients have a damaged skin barrier—a problem that may be compounded by inflammation caused by rosacea and/or the use of irritating cleansers and other skin-care products.

But while an inappropriate skin-care regimen may undermine even the most effective medical treatment, appropriate cleansers and moisturizers may help repair and maintain skin-barrier function. In addition, using sunscreens may help minimize ultraviolet light-induced inflammation and photodamage (damage caused by exposure to UV radiation).

In fact, a study of patients with highly sensitive skin, most of whom had rosacea, has shown that using a proper skin-care regimen that includes a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and sun protection, produced significant improvements in both skin sensitivity and skin hydration.

So be sure to use a proper skin-care regimen to help repair and maintain your skin, and to help augment the positive results you may achieve with medicine.