About 14 million people in the U.S. have rosacea. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about this skin condition.
1. Rosacea affects mainly the back and the belly (abdomen).
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Rosacea usually occurs on the face. But sometimes it also affects the neck and upper chest. Rosacea also affects the eyes in about half the cases. It makes the eyes red and irritated.
2. Rosacea is common in children.
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Anyone can get rosacea. But it's more common in adults over 30. Few children and teens develop rosacea, but it can happen.
3. Women develop more severe symptoms of rosacea than men.
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Women are more often affected by mild to moderate rosacea than men. The condition is often more severe when it strikes men.
4. Rosacea is grouped into 4 types based on symptoms.
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Some people may have more than 1 type of rosacea at a time. The 4 types are:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. This is the earliest stage. Symptoms are flushing or redness.
Papulopustular rosacea. Symptoms are small blood vessels, or small red bumps or pustules that you can see on your nose and cheeks, or both. This is often seen in women.
Phymatous rosacea. This usually affects men. The main symptom is an enlarged, bulbous red nose.
Ocular rosacea. This causes red, burning, light-sensitive, dry, or watery eyes.
5. Spicy foods can trigger a flare-up of rosacea.
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Other triggers include exposure to the sun, emotional stress, alcohol, exercise, cold wind, hot foods and drinks, and hot baths. What causes a flare-up in one person may not cause a problem in another.
6. Your eyesight is usually harmed if rosacea affects your eyes.
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Only in severe cases can your eyesight become harmed. Typical eye symptoms include redness, burning, tearing, and the feeling of having sand or something else stuck in the eye. An eyelid infection may cause the lids to become inflamed and swollen. Some people complain of blurry vision.
7. A tiny mite that lives in the hair follicles may cause rosacea.
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These mites are called Demodex folliculorum. Some researchers believe that these mites clog the sebaceous gland openings. This causes skin inflammation. Other researchers have shown a possible link between rosacea and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori are bacteria that cause infection in the digestive system. Some research has also suggested that the immune system may play a role in some people. The mites can be treated with medicine. More research is needed on the mites because some people who have many Demodex mites on their skin don't get rosacea.
8. Rosacea is usually treated with an antibiotic used on the skin (topical).
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Your healthcare provider may prescribe an oral antibiotic if the topical medicine doesn't work. Some people respond quickly to treatment. Others need long-term therapy. Newer treatments narrow blood vessels to reduce redness and inflammation.
9. Another way to treat rosacea is to stay away from triggers.
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By doing this, you may be able to cut back on or even stop taking medicine to control the rosacea. One way to stay away from triggers is to keep a record of things that seem to cause flare-ups.
10. Wearing sunscreen is a must if you have rosacea.
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Sunscreens are advised. They should protect against ultraviolet A and B rays and have an SPF of at least 15. Check the chemical contents of the sunscreen. Don't use brands that have octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, or PABA.
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Author: Sinovic, Dianna
Online Medical Reviewer: Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Lehrer, Michael Stephen, MD
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition affecting the face. In the early stages it causes easy flushing or blushing. Redness may become permanent as the small blood vessels of the face dilate. There may be small, red, pus-filled bumps.
