An acne-like rash that affects the central and flush/blush areas of the face (forehead, nose, cheeks,
chin). Vascular lability is so typical that many patients have a history of facial flushing in childhood or early
teens, often triggered by dietary and environmental factors (like hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, but also
temperature changes and even emotions).
Ocular rosacea may be accompanied by conjunctival injection, and rarely, chalazion and episcleritis. Although rare, there may be extrafacial involvement of the neck and upper part of the chest. Overall, symptoms of rosacea are intermittent, but can progressively lead to permanent flushing of the skin, with telangiectasias of
cheeks and nose, lymphedema, and, ultimately, skin coarseness with acne-like papulopustular eruption. Yet,
unlike acne, there is neither seborrhea (i.e., greasiness of the skin) nor comedones.
In fact, rosacea may
present with drying and peeling. Hyperplasia of sebaceous glands may eventually lead to a thickened
and disfigured nose (rhinophyma). Still, this can be an isolated finding, and in fact, some authors even
consider it a separate entity. Note that although rosacea is much more frequent in subjects of Celtic ancestry, it has also been described in dark-skinned individuals, such as African-Americans.
chin). Vascular lability is so typical that many patients have a history of facial flushing in childhood or early
teens, often triggered by dietary and environmental factors (like hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, but also
temperature changes and even emotions).
Ocular rosacea may be accompanied by conjunctival injection, and rarely, chalazion and episcleritis. Although rare, there may be extrafacial involvement of the neck and upper part of the chest. Overall, symptoms of rosacea are intermittent, but can progressively lead to permanent flushing of the skin, with telangiectasias of
cheeks and nose, lymphedema, and, ultimately, skin coarseness with acne-like papulopustular eruption. Yet,
unlike acne, there is neither seborrhea (i.e., greasiness of the skin) nor comedones.
In fact, rosacea may
present with drying and peeling. Hyperplasia of sebaceous glands may eventually lead to a thickened
and disfigured nose (rhinophyma). Still, this can be an isolated finding, and in fact, some authors even
consider it a separate entity. Note that although rosacea is much more frequent in subjects of Celtic ancestry, it has also been described in dark-skinned individuals, such as African-Americans.