Let’s Talk About Rosacea

Every day, millions of women around the world are applying blush to their skin for the appearance of “rosy cheeks.” Unfortunately, there are millions of people in the United States who have that look unwillingly. Over 14 million Americans are battling with rosacea and many people don’t even know what it is. Let’s talk about rosacea.

Rosacea is actually a very common skin disease that is often mistaken for acne. It is categorized with redness, swelling, noticeable blood vessels, and textured skin. While common cases begin in the nose and cheek region, it can often spread. If left untreated rosacea could even cover the entire face and spread to the chest and back.

What causes Rosacea? There is no definite answer as to what causes rosacea, but like many other diseases, one of the determining factors is your family. If your family history includes people who have had rosacea, this could be a sign that rosacea might be in your future.

Who gets it? Similar to our first point, if someone in your family has had rosacea, there’s a chance that you might get it too. Rosacea also seems to be a skin disease that affects a particular group of people. It is most common in people who have fair skin and usually appears after age 30. While there are cases of people getting it before, the National Rosacea Society conducted an experiment where 82% of their participants were affected after age 30.

What are the signs? Studies have shown that one of the first signs that you might have rosacea is if you have heavily flushing skin. While this is seen as a precursor, it certainly doesn’t mean you have it! Noticeable blood vessels and sensitive skin are also common with rosacea, but you might even notice swollen, oily, or textured skin.

What can you do? Go to the dermatologist. While we all like to be our own dermatologist and help ourselves, rosacea is definitely a reason to schedule an appointment. Although it can’t be cured, it is treatable, and if you blow off treatment, it can often get worse!

Rosacea affects millions of people every day, and most people wouldn’t give it a second look. They’d automatically assume it’s acne. For the 14 million Americans dealing with it, it can be uncomfortable and discouraging. Rather than diminishing their struggle, our love for all things skincare gives us a reason to shed light on all the people living with rosacea.