Rosacea is a health condition that affects the skin. Although rosacea is commonly referred to as acne rosacea, this skin disease differs from normal acne. Acne rosacea is a chronic health condition, like normal acne, which means that it can last for prolonged periods of time, and if left untreated, can lead to serious complications.

The defining characteristics of this chronic disease would be irritation and redness of the skin. Most frequently, the effects of acne rosacea is observed on the face. The redness appears as a result of the swelling of blood vessels.

In general, women are more prone to suffer from acne rosacea. In fact, nearly 75% of people who suffer from this disease are women. However, male sufferers are more likely to suffer from a more serious form of this chronic skin disease. According to statistical data, 14 million Americans show signs of this long-term skin condition. Of these 14 million people, those with sensible skin are more at risk that others. In addition, those with fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes also have an increased likelihood of contracting acne rosacea. However, it is important to note that regardless of these profiles, anyone is susceptible to acne rosacea at any moment in life.

In those who suffer from acne rosacea, the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose appear redder than usual. The tiny blood vessels found on the face become more noticeable, and this helps doctors to diagnose this condition. Last, watery eyes and bumps on the face may also be observed from persons who suffer from acne rosacea. In fact, in half of the cases, an individual’s eyes are affected.

It is not uncommon for people who suffer from this chronic skin disease to also have benign skin cancer. The connection between these two health conditions is not very clear, and scientists are actively studying the relation in order to determine if one skin disease may cause the other.

As with ordinary acne, acne rosacea is influenced by the types of food one consumes. It is recommended to those who suffer from this skin disease to keep a journal of foods eaten. That way, an individual can track which foods makes symptoms worse, and which foods have benefic effects.

Treatment for acne rosacea does not differ from those used for other forms of acne. Therefore, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and sulfur lotions are among the medications that prove to be most effective.