You may have heard them before: hushed whispers or suspicious comments about your appearance. Because rosacea is often misunderstood, here are some tips to keep handy for those uncomfortable moments when you just need to get the truth out about rosacea.

During Rosacea Awareness Month in April, the National Rosacea Society alerted the public to the warning signs of this chronic disorder affecting 14 million Americans, and encouraged individuals to seek medical help before it increasingly disrupts their lives.

A broad variety of common household tasks and products may aggravate rosacea in various individuals, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society. The survey of nearly 400 rosacea patients found that harsh chemicals in cleansers and tasks requiring strenuous physical exertion may help make the house sparkle, but they can also lead to rosacea flare-ups.

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis identified the most common eye effects of subtype 4 (ocular) rosacea found by ophthalmologists during patient examinations.¹

In the study of 88 ocular rosacea patients, 85 percent had meibomian gland dysfunction. These glands secrete a fatty substance that helps keep the eye from drying out, and plugging of these glands may result in dry eye or styes.

Homai Baria of India felt quite alone when she was diagnosed with rosacea.

"In India, I have still not heard much about the term rosacea," Baria said. As a result, many people in her country don't understand her condition.

"My family, friends and colleagues at work would sometimes make unkind comments about what was happening to me," she said, referring to her red face and rosacea flareups. "I went to the point of avoiding going to parties and social gatherings. I would often cry when I was alone."