The types and severity of symptoms that affect people with acne rosacea range wildly. You might have just two or three signs now, develop three more within a few weeks, and have a full blown breakout in just a month. The only consistent denominator between all sufferers is that at least one secondary sign exists somewhere on the body. It might be the nose, lips or forehead. In many cases, the skin on the surface of the face also develops new skin growth, creating yet another red circle.
The redness will fade over time, but will always be present in certain areas. In rare cases, people may actually develop pustules or nodules on the nose or cheeks as a result of the redness. It might seem like a particularly troublesome condition, but the redness itself is usually easily treated with a simple facial cleanser or skin care product.
There are several risk factors that will increase your chances of developing acne rosacea. The main risk factor is the presence of skin irritation. For instance, if you have a family history of rosacea, your chances of getting it will be greater than someone who doesn't. Skin irritation is exacerbated by exposure to the sun, so people with acne rosacea often stay out of the sun whenever possible, and apply sunscreen when they do go outside.
Increased blood vessels are another risk factor. Blood vessels in the skin to stretch and become inflamed when blood vessels beneath them become damaged, which is what leads to the redness and pus that characterize acne rosacea. There is a direct correlation between the severity of this redness and the size of the blood vessels that supply blood to the area. If there are damaged blood vessels, the result is a redness that is localized to the affected area, but if the vessels are large enough, it can extend across the face and into the surrounding skin.
Any skin type and color can be susceptible to developing acne rosacea, but the severity of outbreaks tends to vary from person to person. The most common symptoms include facial flushing, increased facial redness, pimples or whiteheads, and the characteristic lightening of the skin tone. This condition does not have a specific time frame in which it tends to occur; it can strike at any time throughout the day for as long as the individual decides to expose his or her skin to the sun. This is why individuals who suffer from this condition must remain vigilant about their skin, applying sunscreen at all times and staying away from the sun whenever possible.
A patient with acne rosacea has the same basic symptoms as those who suffer from acne. They may experience a small amount of facial redness at the beginning, but the redness typically increases with exposure to the sun, which makes the symptoms even worse. Sometimes, the individual may also experience increased sweating, although this symptom rarely occurs. Flushing can also happen in the nose, cheeks, or chest. These symptoms can be embarrassing for some people, especially if they arise when the patient is in a social situation.
Most people with mild cases of rosacea are able to control the effects of this condition through a simple regimen of sunscreen use and appropriate clothing. For people who have moderate-to-severe cases of acne rosacea, it is sometimes necessary to combine the treatment of the physical aspects with a more intensive acne rosacea treatment. In these cases, doctors may prescribe stronger medications that combat the redness and inflammation associated with the condition. These stronger medications are often used to treat cases that are not effectively controlled by standard skin care practices, and they can also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment such as laser surgery. Acne rosacea treatments are typically reserved for people who suffer from very severe cases of this condition.