Rosacea

Redness

This resembles a blush or sunburn and it is caused by flushing (when a larger amount of blood flows through vessels quickly and the vessels dilate to handle the increased flow). Redness can gradually become more noticeable and will not go away. Facial skin may get very dry.

Pimples (Papules)

Later, as the disease progresses, pimples may appear on the face. These pimples may be inflamed — small, red and solid (papules) or pus-filled (pustules) like teenage acne. Because they look alike, rosacea has been called “adult acne” or “acne rosacea.” But, people with rosacea do not normally have the blackhead or whitehead type of pimples (called comedones) that are usually seen in teenagers.

Red lines

When people with rosacea flush, the small blood vessels of the face may get larger — eventually showing through the skin. These enlarged blood vessels resemble thin red lines on the face, usually on the cheeks. These lines may be hidden at first by flushing, blushing or redness, but they usually reappear when the redness is cleared up. They can be treated with a vascular laser.

Stinging

Sometimes patients with rosacea complain of stinging or burning. These symptoms can be treated with oral antibiotics, laser, or photodynamic therapy.

Nasal Bumps

In more extreme cases, patients may notice small knobby bumps on the nose. As more bumps appear, the nose becomes more swollen and disfigured. This condition is referred to as rhinophyma.