The first large-scale survey of rosacea symptoms was conducted by the National Rosacea Society, defining the relative frequency of various conditions that may be caused by the disorder as well as some distinct differences in the typical pattern of symptoms experienced by men and women respectively.

In the survey of 2,157 rosacea sufferers, 73 percent said they had experienced flushing and 66 percent reported having had persistent redness (erythema). Sixty-seven percent said they had suffered pimples (pustules), and 59 percent had experienced bumps (papules). Fifty percent reported visible blood vessels (telangiectasia), and nearly 40 percent said they had suffered watery or red eyes. Only 21 percent reportedly had experienced facial swelling.

Eleven percent of all respondents said they had experienced an enlarged nose (rhinophyma), with men more than twice as likely to suffer from this condition (21 percent of 457 men vs. 8 percent of 1,572 women).

In contrast, women were significantly more likely than men to experience rosacea symptoms on the chin (49 percent of women, 20 percent of men) and cheeks (87 percent of women, 68 percent of men). Symptoms occurred somewhat more often in men on the nose (85 percent of men, 77 percent of women) and at similar rates on the forehead (41 percent of men, 42 percent of women).

Sixty-two percent of all respondents said their symptoms had at least sometimes been accompanied by itching or burning, and 27 percent said they had experienced other physical discomfort at least occasionally.

The most widespread discomfort from rosacea, however, appears to be other than physical. Fully 75 percent of respondents said their rosacea had caused them emotional discomfort. On the other hand, 85 percent of the rosacea sufferers reported that medical therapy had reduced their symptoms.