Although the physical and emotional turmoil suffered by many of the estimated 14 million Americans with rosacea has been well documented, medical data indicate that less than 10 percent are receiving treatment for the disease. April has been designated Rosacea Awareness Month by the National Rosacea Society to encourage those who suffer from this conspicuous and often life-disruptive facial disorder to seek medical help before it reaches advanced stages.

Perhaps your rosacea once seemed like a private affair, but you sense those around you may be wondering what is going on with your face. Here are some ways you can discuss rosacea without turning red.

Q. If I take long-term medication consistently, will it lose its effectiveness?

A. Topical therapy is commonly prescribed to control rosacea on a long-term basis, and no evidence has suggested that it loses effectiveness. A long-term controlled clinical study found that 77 percent of rosacea patients consistently using topical metronidazole remained in remission, while 42 percent of patients using no therapy had relapsed within six months.

It was the network of visible blood vessels on her face that bothered Rita Edwards the most. As a frequent blusher, she was accustomed to having "high color" on her face, but this was more than she could bear.

"They made my face look purple-red," she said. "I also had dry, bumpy skin, almost like acne."

Even though she doesn't like to wear makeup, Rita tried foundations and creams to cover her blemishes, redness and blood vessels. "But they just couldn't be covered," Rita said.

"People would ask me what was wrong when my face got red," she said.

While the facial effects of rosacea and lupus may sometimes be confused, the presence of eye symptoms may point definitely to rosacea, as it almost never occurs in lupus flares.

"The presence of ocular involvement can be very helpful in differentiating active lupus from active rosacea," said Dr. Guy Webster, associate professor of dermatology at Jefferson Medical College.

Beyond the effects of rosacea on facial appearance, the disorder is also frequently associated with facial discomfort, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society.