Rosacea/Skin Redness

• Facial redness. Rosacea usually causes a persistent redness in the central part of your face. Small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks often swell and become visible.
• Swollen, red bumps. Many people with rosacea also develop pimples on their face that resemble acne. These bumps sometimes contain pus. Your skin may feel hot and tender.
• Eye problems. Many people with rosacea also experience dry, irritated, swollen eyes and red, swollen eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. In some people, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms.
• Enlarged nose. Over time, rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear bulbous (rhinophyma). This occurs more often in men than in women.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it could be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.

A number of factors can trigger flare-ups, including:

• Hot drinks and spicy foods
• Red wine and other alcoholic beverages
• Temperature extremes
• Sunlight or wind
• Emotions
• Exercise
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications
• Various cosmetic products

Anyone can develop rosacea. But you may be more likely to develop it if you:

• Are female
• Have light skin, particularly if it has been damaged by the sun
• Are over age 30
• Smoke
• Have a family history of rosacea
• Have a history of multiple allergies such as hay fever and asthma
• Have a history of irritable bowel syndrome