Since knowledge leads to understanding, taking the initiative to inform others about rosacea can put them at ease and make a difference in relationships with others. Here are some ways you can pass on information about rosacea to family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers.

• Look for opportune moments to discuss rosacea. When the conversation seems right, casually mention you have rosacea, a facial condition that affects an estimated 13 million Americans* and is becoming more prevalent as the baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages.

Incorporating topical therapy into a consistent and gentle skin-care routine can improve the overall effectiveness of therapy for rosacea patients, according to an article in The Nurse Practitioner.¹

The National Rosacea Society announced that the first research proposals have been selected for funding by its medical advisory board as part of the Society's new research grants program to encourage and support the advancement of scientific knowledge of rosacea and how to control it.

In a single day, Dollie Timpe's life changed. It was shortly after she underwent minor surgery to remove a lesion from her face. Timpe, 84 years old, woke up one morning, the day before she was to return to her dermatologist for a follow-up appointment, with a strange and painful breakout on her face.

"There was a lot of redness and a lot of big pimples," Timpe said. "It just made me sick." It was especially difficult, said Timpe, because she was accustomed to having gorgeous white skin all of her life. "Everyone wanted to know my formula for perfect skin," she said.

Although rosacea has had a negative impact on the social lives of many rosacea sufferers, the situation usually improves following effective therapy, according to a survey of Rosacea Review readers.

Q. Can being anxious or nervous contribute to a rosacea flare-up? I do a lot of public speaking and find my face sometimes gets red and swollen before an engagement.

A. Since anxiety and nervousness are forms of emotional stress, it's quite likely that the anticipation of your speaking engagement could result in a rosacea flare-up. In a National Rosacea Society survey of 602 patients, 88 percent said their rosacea often or sometimes flares up when they are under emotional stress.

Having children follow in their footsteps can be the ultimate satisfaction for many parents, but not in the case of rosacea. Evidence suggests that heredity may indeed play a role in the development of this disorder, and that the children and other relatives of rosacea sufferers would be wise to be on the lookout for early signs as they grow older in order to seek diagnosis and treatment before the condition reaches more advanced stages.