Rosacea is a skin disorder that is often mistaken for severe acne or a sign of alcoholism. Some doctors believe it is a vascular problem at core. For people who have this disorder, it is very challenging. It is a chronic medical condition with no cure at this point. The symptoms are very real and can cause emotional pain and can be quite physically painful as well. However, many times the symptoms of rosacea can be managed.
What are the symptoms of rosacea? Experiencing some or all of these symptoms should really be checked out by a doctor. 1) Red or inflamed areas on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin 2) Visible blood vessels in the facial area or “spider veins” 3) Acne or bumpy areas on the face (that are not really acne) 4) Severe flushing that doesn’t return to normal like it should 5) Watery eyes or irritated eyes sometimes 6) Facial burning sensation, sometimes very intense 7) Swelling of facial areas 
Over time, the nose may appear extremely red and bulbous, especially in older men, also known as rhinophyma 9) Sometimes rosacea appears on the chest, scalp, ears, or neck
The cause of rosacea is not known. It seems to show up in both women and men sometime between 20 and 40 years of age. Women can sometimes become housebound if their rosacea isn’t controlled. They might become ashamed and embarrassed by the ruddy appearance of their facial skin. Men are sometimes emotionally affected as well.
First and foremost to cope with rosacea, see a dermatologist who has helped others with this skin disorder. Rosacea can go into remission if you are careful to adhere to the plan recommended by your doctor. There are several lifestyle changes that can be made to ensure that the flares of rosacea won’t occur as often or as severely. Limit your exposure to sun and wind. Try to keep stress levels at a low and make lifestyle changes accordingly to accommodate that. Avoid alcohol, hot drinks & spicy foods. If you enjoy a bath, use warm or cool water instead of really hot water. Try low-impact forms of exercise instead of high impact ones, which can bring on a prolonged facial flush. Try to exercise in cooler conditions or air conditioned rooms. Hot weather will worsen rosacea signs.
Some people with rosacea have tried and claim some relief with creams containing green tea, Chrysanthellum Indicum, Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), or Azelaic Acid have been reported to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and red capillaries.
Sometimes hot beverages like coffee, hot cocoa and the like, as well as hot and spicy foods can trigger a reaction and worsen symptoms. If you notice this be sure to avoid these triggers.
If your doctor doesn’t prescribe special facial cleansers or products, I have found the following helpful. Use a very mild facial cleaner such as Oil of Olay sensitive skin facial cloths or Dove’s version. Be very gentle while washing your face, no heavy scrubbing. Do not use abrasive scrubs or astringent type products. I like using for moisture Neutrogena’s oil free moisturizer, and sometimes use pure emu oil as well. Many anti aging products tend to cause flare-ups. For cosmetics I like natural mineral makeup. There are many good brands out there. Try to get a green color corrector type product as a base under foundation, green counteracts the red of the skin and helps camouflage it so it looks more natural.
Men should use an electric razor rather than a blade to shave each morning. Follow up with a fragrance-free moisturizer.
Rosacea can be a debilitating skin disorder, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it can greatly help reduce symptoms.
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