Q. What causes rosacea?

A. The cause is unknown. There are several theories (disorder of the blood vessels, skin mites, skin bacteria, an abnormal immune response, etc.), but a definitive cause has not been proven.

Q. Is rosacea contagious?

A. No. Rosacea is not considered an infectious disease, and there is no evidence that it can be spread by contact with the skin or through inhaling airborne bacteria.

Q. Is rosacea hereditary?

A. There is evidence that suggests rosacea may be inherited. Nearly 40% of rosacea patients surveyed by the National Rosacea Society said they could name a relative who had similar symptoms.

Q. Will rosacea get worse with age?

A. There's no way to predict how your rosacea will progress. But symptoms do tend to become increasingly severe without treatment. Moreover, in a National Rosacea Society survey, about half of rosacea sufferers said that without treatment, their condition had advanced from early to middle stage within a year.

Q. Can rosacea be cured?

A. To date, there is no recognized cure, but medical therapy is available to control the symptoms.

Q. Is there any kind of test that will tell you if you have rosacea?

A. There are no diagnostic tests for rosacea. A diagnosis of rosacea must come from your physician after a thorough examination of your signs and symptoms and a medical history.

Q. How long does rosacea last?

A. Rosacea is a chronic disorder, rather than a short-term condition, and is often characterized by relapses and remissions.

Q. Are rosacea sufferers more likely to get skin cancer later in life?

A. No medical evidence has linked rosacea directly with skin cancer. Rosacea sufferers may be more likely to develop skin cancer later in life because they often have light complexions and are more likely to suffer injury from the sun's ultraviolet rays. If you have any signs of possible skin cancer, such as an asymmetric or enlarged mole or one that has an irregular border or varying color, consult your dermatologist. Although unrelated to rosacea, skin cancer can be fatal.

Q. Why are antibiotics prescribed for rosacea? Is it a bacterial infection?

A. No one knows for sure why antibiotics work against rosacea, but it is widely believed that it's because of their anti-inflammatory properties rather than their bacteria-fighting capabilities.

Q. Should I still use my medication between flare-ups?

A. Treatment between flare-ups can prevent them. In a 6-month multicenter clinical study, 42% of those not using medication had relapsed, compared to 23% of those who continued to apply a topical antibiotic.