1. Does everyone with rosacea have the same symptoms?

No. Rosacea’s signs and symptoms vary from person to person. While the signs of visible blood vessels, papules and pustules are common, some people never experience those. Instead, some people with rosacea might only experience facial redness. One recent study indicated that some people who have rosacea do not have it on their face at all, but rather on their back or elsewhere.

2. I heard that blood pressure medication can cause a rosacea flare-up. Is that true?

Some medications, especially blood pressure medicine, can precipitate flushing, which can aggravate rosacea. People who are being treated for rosacea should let their dermatologists know about any medications they are taking.

3. Is there a cure for rosacea?

Currently, there is no cure for rosacea. The good news, however, is that there are a variety of treatments that diminish the disease’s signs and symptoms. In fact, according to a study of 1,077 rosacea patients, 87 percent said their rosacea was under control with treatment. Treatments range from topical products and oral medications to treat the papules and pustules, to laser therapy for treatment of visible blood vessels on the face and laser surgery to treat rhinophyma.

4. Does self-treatment work?

Rosacea generally does not go away on its own and tends to worsen over time. People who try to self-treat the condition often aggravate it by using over-the-counter remedies that contain acids, alcohol and other ingredients that can cause flare-ups.

5. Does rosacea sometimes disappear for good after one episode?

Rosacea is a chronic, or long-term, disease. A study of 48 previously diagnosed rosacea patients found that 52 percent had active rosacea, with an average duration of 13 years. The remaining 48 percent cleared but had an average duration of nine years.

6. Are rosacea patients prone to other skin conditions?

It is common for rosacea patients to have other skin conditions, as well. In a survey2 of more than 1,000 rosacea patients, 77 percent said they had also been diagnosed with another skin condition. Acne was the most common, followed by non-melanoma skin cancer.

7. What causes rosacea?

The cause of rosacea is not known, although experts believe rosacea is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

8. Does alcohol use cause rosacea?

No. However, the consumption of alcohol leads to flushing of the skin, which can worsen rosacea.

9. Is rosacea life-threatening?

No.

10. Are some people more prone to getting rosacea than others?

Adults are most likely to get rosacea, and women get it more often than men. Rosacea has a tendency to affect fair-skinned people more often.