Glossary of Common Rosacea Medical Terms

• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids.

• Chalazion: A cyst on the eyelid due to plugging of the meibomian glands, fat-secreting glands of the eyes.

• Comedone: A plugged hair follicle. May be open (blackhead) or nearly closed (whitehead).

• Controlled study: An experiment or clinical trial that includes an untested comparison group, referred to as a "control group."

• Cutaneous: Pertaining to the skin.

• Double-blind: A research procedure in which neither the patient nor the investigator knows who is receiving the experimental substance or procedure and who is receiving a placebo. Done to avoid bias in the study.

• Edema: Swelling from abnormally large amounts of fluids in the tissues.

• Erythema: Abnormal redness of the skin.

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Subtype 1 rosacea, characterized by flushing and persistent redness. Visible blood vessels may also appear.

• Flushing: Transient redness of the face and neck.

• Granuloma: A tumor-like mass or nodule of tissue.

• Granulomatous rosacea: Variant of rosacea, characterized by hard yellow, brown or red papules or nodules.

• Nodule: A small node that is solid and can be detected by touch.

• Ocular rosacea: Subtype 4 rosacea, characterized by watery or bloodshot appearance, irritation, burning or stinging of the eyes.

• Papule: A small, dome-shaped, solid, usually inflamed elevation of the skin.

• Papulopustular rosacea: Subtype 2 rosacea, characterized by facial redness with bumps or pimples.

• Paranasal: Alongside the nose.

• Phymatous rosacea: Subtype 3 rosacea, characterized by thickening or growth of excess tissue, often around the nose.

• Placebo: An oral or topical formulation without this active ingredient, used for comparison with the active medication in controlled clinical studies.

• Plaque: Elevated red patch on the skin.

• Pustule: A small elevation of the skin filled with a white substance.

• Recalcitrant: Not responsive to treatment.

• Rhinophyma: Enlargement of the nose with excess tissue, a common form of phymatous rosacea.

• Subtype: A common pattern or grouping of signs and symptoms.

• Subtype 1 rosacea: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, characterized by flushing and persistent redness. Visible blood vessels may also appear.

• Subtype 2 rosacea: Papulopustular rosacea, characterized by facial redness with bumps or pimples.

• Subtype 3 rosacea: Phymatous rosacea, characterized by thickening or growth of excess tissue, often around the nose.

• Subtype 4 rosacea: Ocular rosacea, characterized by watery or bloodshot appearance, irritation, burning or stinging of the eyes.

• Telangiectasia: Blood vessels visible through the skin.