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Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the face. It's more common in women and people with lighter skin, but symptoms can be worse in men. Treatment can help with symptoms.
The first signs of rosacea include:
The redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin.
Other symptoms can include:
It's not known what causes rosacea, but some things can make symptoms worse.
Common triggers for rosacea include:
Rosacea can look a lot like other conditions, such as:
If you have rosacea and:
These could be signs of keratitis, which can be serious if not treated urgently.
Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment from a GP can help control the symptoms. It can get worse if it's not treated.
A GP may suggest:
A GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) if treatments are not working.
Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it's not contagious. But there are things you can try to help with symptoms.
If you know a trigger like alcohol or spicy food makes symptoms worse, try to avoid it as much as possible.
wear a high SPF sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day
try to avoid heat, sunlight or humid conditions if possible
try to cover your face in cold weather
use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin
clean your eyelids at least once a day if you have blepharitis
take steps to manage stress
do not drink alcohol
do not have hot drinks
do not eat spicy food
do not do too much aerobic exercise, like running
The charity Changing Faces can offer advice and support if you're feeling anxious or depressed.
You can:
