While protective face masks may both hide and exacerbate the signs and symptoms of rosacea, the 16 million Americans who suffer from this disorder now have access to more treatment options and sophisticated medical care than ever before. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on this common and potentially serious facial condition, and to urge those who suspect they may have it to see a dermatologist for diagnosis and the most up-to-date therapy.

Almost from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with acne and rosacea have reported new or worsening symptoms due to long hours wearing protective face masks. Now a study examining mask-related rosacea and acne symptoms, popularly referred to as “maskne,” during the COVID-19 pandemic confirms that not only does prolonged mask-wearing cause them to get worse, but quality of life suffers as well.¹

A recent NRS survey of 517 rosacea patients to date showed that most experience a sense of stigma in the workplace because of their skin.

Sixty-four percent of respondents said they had noticed someone staring or heard rude comments about their appearance. About 80% of those with severe symptoms reported hearing negative comments and noticing stares in the workplace.

For many rosacea patients, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a visible impact on their skin, making special care more important than ever. Here are some tips for avoiding flare-ups during these often stressful times.

Stick to routines: “It’s important to stick to your skin care routine, keep your schedule, and maintain the semblance of a normal life, even if you aren’t going to be leaving the house or working like you might normally,” said dermatologist and psychiatrist Dr. Amy Wechsler.

Editor’s note: Rosacea is a highly visible condition associated with social stigma due to a lack of public awareness and misinformation surrounding its cause. Over the past few years, multiple studies have suggested a connection between rosacea and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, many researchers have noted that rosacea negatively impacts patients’ quality of life. It’s important to separate recent studies concerning psychiatric illnesses, which suggest only a potential association with rosacea, from research gauging the impact rosacea has on patients’ quality of life.

The NRS has updated “Understanding Rosacea,” its most popular educational booklet that provides an introduction to this chronic facial skin disorder. The new edition incorporates the updated standard classification and pathophysiology of rosacea, developed by a consensus committee and review panel of 28 rosacea experts worldwide and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.