Rosacea

Approximately 415 million people have rosacea worldwide. At The Dermatology Center of Worcester, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the team of experienced dermatology providers offer rosacea evaluation, diagnosis, management, and treatment customized to you. If you have a rash and wonder if it’s rosacea, call the office or use the provided scheduling link to make your appointment now.

We offer Full body skin checks and offer treatment for acne, acne scars, and more. Call us to book your appointment today.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that causes reddened skin and a rash, usually on the nose and cheeks. It may also cause eye problems. The symptoms typically come and go, with many people reporting that certain factors, such as spending time in the sun or experiencing emotional stress, bring them on.

Most people only experience some of the symptoms of rosacea, and the pattern of symptoms varies among individuals. While the condition is chronic (long lasting), rosacea often cycles between flare-ups and periods of remission (lack of symptoms).

The symptoms of rosacea include:

• Facial redness. This may start as a tendency to flush or blush, but over time redness may persist for longer periods. It is sometimes accompanied by a sense of tingling or burning, and the reddened skin may turn rough and scaly.
• Rash. Areas of facial redness can develop red or pus-filled bumps and pimples that resemble acne.
• Visible blood vessels. These typically appear as thin red lines on the cheeks and nose.
• Skin thickening. The skin may thicken, especially on the nose, giving the nose an enlarged and bulbous appearance. This is one of the more severe symptoms, and it mostly affects men.
• Eye irritation. In what is termed ocular rosacea, the eyes become sore, red, itchy, watery, or dry. They may feel gritty or as if there is something in them, such as an eyelash. The eyelids may swell and become red at the base of the eyelashes. Styes may develop. It is important to see a health care provider if you have eye symptoms because if left untreated, eye damage and loss of vision can result.

Sometimes rosacea follows a progression, going from temporary flushing of the nose and cheeks, to longer lasting flushing, then to the appearance of a rash and small blood vessels beneath the skin. If left untreated, the skin may thicken and enlarge, leading to firm, red bumps, especially on the nose.

The condition usually affects the center of the face, but in rare cases it can extend to other parts of the body, such as the sides of the face, the ears, neck, scalp, and chest.

What does rosacea look like?

Rosacea causes red skin, but specific symptoms can vary with the rosacea subtype. The four subtypes are: 

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is the most common type of rosacea. It causes redness, especially around the middle of the face, and prominent blood vessels. People with this type of rosacea flush easily.

Papulopustular rosacea

Papulopustular rosacea causes redness and swelling. It also causes breakouts that look like acne. 

Phymatous rosacea

Phymatous rosacea causes bumpy, thickened skin, which can be either red or normal skin tone. This type of rosacea can lead to a bulbous nose. 

Ocular rosacea

Ocular rosacea causes eye redness and burning. If you develop ocular rosacea you’re more likely to develop skin rosacea.

All types of rosacea can cause serious symptoms, leading to both cosmetic and physical discomfort.  

How is rosacea treated?

Rosacea treatment includes both preventive care and treatments to target your symptoms. It’s important to pay attention to triggers that lead to rosacea flare-ups. Some common triggers include sunlight, spicy foods, and hairspray. You can control your exposure to most triggers with lifestyle changes. 

Wearing good sun protection is important for all people with rosacea, and The Dermatology Center of Worcester team can help you find skin care products that are gentle enough to use when your skin is irritated.

You may need prescription topical skin treatments, oral medications, or treatments like light therapy to reduce rosacea symptoms. A medicine that treats severe acne can help to prevent skin thickening from progressing to a bulbous nose. 

If you have ocular rosacea, you’ll likely need medicated eye drops along with warm compresses and a gentle eye-cleaning routine at home. 

Following your treatment plan closely allows you to effectively manage your rosacea and prevent it from worsening. 

To learn more about how you can control your rosacea flare-ups, call The Dermatology Center of Worcester or click the online scheduling feature to set up a consultation now. 

*We offer treatments for chemical peels, hydrafacials, botox, and more. Call us to book your appointment today.