If your face flushes more often and more deeply than usual, you might have the chronic skin condition called rosacea. Rosacea commonly affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60 years old, and it’s more common in those who are light-haired and fair-skinned, as well as women during menopause.

“We don’t really know what causes the inflammation of the skin capillaries,” says Sean Robinson, PA-C, of Park Avenue Dermatology in Orange Park, “but we do know that there is a genetic component and rosacea is hereditary.”

            Common symptoms of rosacea are redness in the center of cheeks, the nose, and between the eyebrows. Face flushing that occurs often and fine red bumps are also symptoms. “Men with rosacea will often have the symptom of a bulbous nose as well,” says Robison.

“Other conditions can mimic rosacea, so it is important to have it diagnosed,” cautions Robinson. Sometimes acne type bumps or pustules will also appear and that is called acne rosacea, he explains.

            “It is also important to get an annual eye exam,” says Robinson. “Ocular rosacea can sometimes occur before skin rosacea.” The symptoms for ocular rosacea are very similar to allergy problems: itchy and watery eyes. “If left untreated, ocular rosacea can cause visual problems down the road,” cautions Robinson.

According to Robinson, avoiding the following can help lessen rosacea flare-ups:

• Hot spicy food and hot beverages.
• Alcohol can dilate the blood vessels, which causes flushing.
• Sun exposure can make rosacea symptoms worse. “Use sunscreen or sunscreen spray with an SPF of at least 30,” says Robinson.
• Stress can cause a flare-up. Anything that causes your emotions to rev up, such as embarrassment or anger, can cause more intense rosacea flushing.
• Strenuous exercise that causes sweating and flushing can make symptoms worse.
• Some medications can also make rosacea worse.

There are a number of treatments for rosacea:

• Antibiotic medications can help reduce the flushing of rosacea. “Antibiotics often have an anti-inflammatory benefit,” says Robinson. A full-strength antibiotic may be used to help acne rosacea.
• Topical creams can calm down the redness and minimize flare-ups.
• For extreme cases of rosacea, cosmetic treatments such as IPL, intense pulsed light therapy, may be used. “IPL decreases the inflammation by shutting the blood vessels down so that the redness is gone,” explains Robinson. “If there are large blood vessels, they may be cauterized.”
• Surgical treatment is available for men who develop the bulbous nose symptom. “The surgical treatment removes the excess skin and works well with patients,” says Robinson.

Robinson suggests face washing with a gentle over-the-counter cleanser such as Cetaphil, Neutrogena or Aveeno. “Irritating chemicals on the skin can cause rosacea to flare,” he says. “He also suggests that women use make-up that doesn’t clog the skin.”

If you notice chronic or continual face flushing, or increased face flushing, Robinson suggests a visit to your family practice, primary care doctor or a dermatologist.