If you notice your face is often red or others ask you why you’re blushing, you may have rosacea. The redness most often appears on your nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, although it can also appear on your ears, neck, and chest.
Your dermatologist will determine if your skin condition is rosacea. Although there is no cure, there are a number of treatment options.
Rosacea Symptoms and Signs:
- Red, flushed skin on your face
- Spider veins on the face
- Pus-filled pimples and bumps
- Rhinophyma – A swollen, bulbous nose
- Bloodshot eyes
- Patches of dry, rough skin and enlarged pores
Recently, guidelines for diagnosing rosacea were updated. According to this Healthline.com article, the original four rosacea categories include:
- Erythematotelangiectatic – The symptoms for this category of rosacea include the appearance of spider veins and red, flushed skin.
- Papulopustular – This category is characterized by acne-like pustules, facial redness, and swelling.
- Phymatous – Symptoms include enlarged pores, thickened skin, as well as bumps on the face.
- Ocular – This involves the eyes and eyelids, with symptoms such as dryness, redness, and irritation.
New diagnostic guidelines update rosacea categories because most rosacea sufferers describe a variety of symptoms. The new standards for diagnosing rosacea focus on the symptoms instead of individual categories.
How to Determine if You Have Rosacea or Acne
Rosacea and acne both appear primarily on the face and have some similarities in appearance. It’s not unusual to dismiss rosacea symptoms as acne breakouts.
If you have blackheads, you are definitely dealing with acne. You can get bumps on your skin with rosacea, but there will not be the telltale black dot on them. Keep in mind that it is possible to have both acne and rosacea at the same time, and sometimes treatments used for acne are also used to manage rosacea.
Your Dermatologist Will Evaluate Your Rosacea
Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are numerous treatment options available. Schedule a consultation with a dermatologist at Park Avenue Dermatology if you suspect you have rosacea.
Don’t delay seeking treatment. Rosacea symptoms can worsen over time. Oral and topical medications, surgical procedures, and laser treatments help control and relieve symptoms.
