While rosacea is typically thought of as a disorder that affects people with light complexions, it occurs in people with darker skin as well. An analysis of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey found that of all patients diagnosed with rosacea, 3.9% were Hispanic or Latinx of any race, 2.3% were Asian or Pacific Islander, and 2.0% were Black.¹ The researchers noted that people of color were less frequently diagnosed with rosacea even when they came in for the same exact reasons that led to the diagnosis for white patients. 

Inflammatory acne and rosacea are both common in Latin Americans, but because rosacea is usually associated with lighter skin tones, it is often missed or misdiagnosed in those with darker skin, according to a recent article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.¹

A new standard classification and pathophysiology of rosacea was recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology based on the substantial advances in the understanding of rosacea gained through scientific investigations over the last 15 years.

By Jenn Adele K., a patient who only recently discovered that she’s been living with rosacea for most of her life.

A new study has documented for the first time the clinical differences between subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea – characterized by facial redness and, sometimes, visible blood vessels – and a condition with visible blood vessels from sun damage known as telangiectatic photoaging (TP), providing a clear picture of the differences between the two disorders and aiding in appropriate treatment.¹

As professionals across the entire health care community have become more aware of the signs and symptoms of rosacea, patients are increasingly alerted to the possibility that they might have rosacea by a professional other than a dermatologist, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society.

Could it be lupus – or could it be rosacea?

Lupus erythematosus – long known as an autoimmune disorder – and rosacea share several signs and symptoms: facial redness, sensitivity to sunlight and a tendency to affect women more than men. In fact, physicians have sometimes turned to blood tests to tell them apart. Now, researchers have discovered that those tests may not be as indicative as once thought.

Acne and rosacea can share common features, and accurate diagnosis is especially important because antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide, according to Dr. Hilary Baldwin, associate professor of dermatology at the State University of New York-Brooklyn.¹

The signs and symptoms of rosacea can vary greatly from one patient to another, and sometimes the symptoms can be so unexpected that diagnosis is delayed. Such was the case for Terri Flynn, a 63-year-old part-time receptionist from Texas. Lacking the telltale facial signs of rosacea, Terri suffered through years of red, watery eyes before she finally learned she had rosacea.

"About 10 years ago, I started getting styes. I wore contacts, and my physician blamed it on that," Terri said. However, her doctor said he didn't normally treat styes.

Q. I have very large pores and am very oily in the "T" zone of my face. Is this common for rosacea sufferers?

A. There is no standard skin type for rosacea patients. Many sufferers experience dry, flaky skin, while others may have normal or oily skin. The key is to identify your skin type and use medication and skin-care products that are suitable for you.