Atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis may often occur at the same time as rosacea, said Dr. Guy Webster, clinical professor of dermatology at Jefferson Medical College, speaking on "What's new in rosacea?" during the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Atopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes, and seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear.

"Rosacea can be very resistant to therapy unless the other dermatitis is treated as well," he noted.

Rosacea patients may have a defective barrier in the facial skin as well as greater than normal transepidermal water loss, both of which contribute to the skin's irritability and susceptibility to inflammation, he said. Dermatologists may advise that moisturizers can help soothe irritation and help restore the skin's proper functioning, Dr. Webster said.