OK, you’ve got red blotches all over your face.  You’ve had them since you were a teenager and they won’t go away.  You’ve tried every acne cream out there, yet you still feel like the employee of the month at any fast food restaurant.

If you are treating your rosacea the same way you treat acne, you probably aren’t ever going to get rid of it.  First off, a bit about the two conditions.

What is acne?

When the pores on your face, neck, back, chest, or shoulders get plugged, pimples or cysts can appear and this is commonly known as acne, or medically as acne vulgaris.  These pimples, whiteheads or blackheads, are usually seen on teenagers (apparently almost 100% of people aged 12 – 17 have had some form of pimples), but there are some folks that are afflicted by acne into their 40s.  Though acne usually isn’t lethal it can be emotionally, or physically, damaging. The pores can become infected, and might result in scarring.  There are some therapies that can be used to mitigate the scarring, but it is much more effective to use proactive treatments to avoid this situation.  Most people will see their acne symptoms disappear as they get older.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes blotchy redness and swelling, usually limited to the face, but it has been known to affect the neck, ears, chest, back, and scalp. There have been some cases where rosacea has affected the eyes, resulting in a bloodshot appearance, burning/itching, and swelling of the eyelids.

People that suffer from rosacea tend to blush or flush very easily.  The symptoms of rosacea can resemble a sunburn or acne, and this redness affects approximately 14 million Americans.  Where acne is normally seen in teenagers, rosacea can be commonly found on adults between 30 and 50, and often in women during menopause.

The causes of rosacea are not fully known, with theories ranging from heredity, to skin mites, to bacteria.

Some famous people that suffer from rosacea include: Bill Clinton, Rosie O’Donnell, Mariah Carey, and W. C. Fields.  Field’s distinct nose is a classic example of rosacea, clearly demonstrating the skin damage that can occur from this condition.

How do you treat rosacea?

Though the cause is still unknown, there are some treatments that have been shown to improve the symptoms on those suffering from rosacea.  The first step is to consult your doctor to ensure that you are suffering from rosacea instead of acne.  If it’s determined to be rosacea, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, like tetracycline or doxycline, to help minimize the flare-ups that occur.  You can help your doctor by keeping a log of your flare-ups to help identify possible triggers so you can avoid them in the future. Some more permanent treatments for rosacea include laser or electrosurgery, where the blood vessels on the face are reduced so they become less visible.

Another problem with the similarity between the two afflictions is that some of the treatments that you would use to prevent acne can actually exacerbate your rosacea.  People that are suffering from both conditions at the time same time should be seeing a medical professional to help them determine the best course of action.

Like acne, rosacea isn’t harmful to your health, but it can cause a lot of psychological grief. If you are suffering from rosacea, consult your dermatologist to find the right options for you.

- Jason