Rosacea Review - Newsletter of the National Rosacea SocietyQ. Is there any general medical opinion on how many years away we are from finding a cure for rosacea?
A. No one can predict how long it might take to find and develop a cure for rosacea, but through ongoing medical research significant progress is being made at determining its underlying cause or causes. This is usually the first step in discovering a cure or prevention for a disease.
Q. Rosacea seems to affect my eyes more in the winter. Is there anything I can do?
A. Wind and cold temperatures may cause irritation and increase the watery discharge associated with ocular rosacea (eye symptoms)1. Besides limiting time outdoors during winter, patients with ocular rosacea can protect their eyes from icy blasts by wearing ultraviolet protective glasses or sunglasses.
Q. Will I eventually get all four subtypes of rosacea?
A. The four subtypes of rosacea, designated by the new standard classification system, identify common patterns of signs and symptoms. Individual patients may have all of the signs of a certain subtype, or just some of them. Others may have characteristics of more than one subtype at the same time.
Q. Not only do I have rosacea on my face, but I also have symptoms on my scalp. Is this common and how should it be treated?
A. While rosacea is primarily a disorder of the facial skin, it may also appear in other areas. In a survey of rosacea patients, signs and symptoms were reported by 15 percent of the respondents on the neck, 6 percent on the chest, 5 percent on the scalp and 4 percent on the ears.
Q. Is it possible that the medication I am taking for high blood pressure could be aggravating my rosacea?
A. It has been reported that some medications, for example high blood pressure medicines, may precipitate a sudden onset of flushing, which can aggravate rosacea. Be sure to let your dermatologist know of any medications you may be taking for other disorders.
Q. I just learned I have rosacea. How long does this disease last?
Q. Is there any way to control blushing? I feel anxious and inhibited when I am in a small group because I feel my whole face is glowing red.
A. Blushing is a common phenomenon, especially in people whose fair skin cannot hide the sudden onset of facial redness. It is often caused by emotions, but can also be triggered by a variety of environmental and other factors.
Q. I was diagnosed with rosacea several years ago, but I've never had any visible blood vessels, bumps or pimples. I have eye irritation, and have only experienced some redness on my face. Is it possible for rosacea not to include its most common signs?
A. The signs and symptoms of rosacea can vary substantially from one patient to another, and may include various combinations of signs and symptoms.
