Rosacea is a skin condition that results in red visible blood vessels on the face. In some cases, this condition may even cause small, pus-filled bumps. Rosacea may occur in anyone, at any age. Often, this skin condition is often mistaken for acne or other related skin problems. Middle-aged women who have a fair complexion are prone to rosacea. The symptoms of the skin condition may flare up for a certain period and diminish after a while. The redness is present on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead.

Symptoms of rosacea
The common signs and symptoms of rosacea are as follows:

• Facial redness
  Rosacea results in a persistent redness in the blood vessels of the nose and cheeks; moreover, these areas start swelling due to the condition swell.
• Swollen red bumps
  Rosacea can also manifest as small red bumps. These bumps resemble acne. The red bumps are filled with pus and may feel hot and tender.
• Eye problems
  In addition to the redness of the face, rosacea may also cause eye dryness, irritation, and swelling of eyelids. For some people, eye problems due to rosacea may appear before the redness of the face.
• Enlarged nose
  This is a rare occurrence where the skin on the nose thickens. This thickening makes the nose appear bulbous. Nose enlargement occurs mostly in men.

Causes of rosacea
It’s unclear what the exact cause of this skin condition is. However, it could be caused by a combination of heredity and environmental factors. Unlike some conditions, rosacea may not be caused due to poor personal hygiene. There are a number of factors that trigger or worsen the redness caused by rosacea. These factors increase the blood flow to the surface of the skin, causing more redness. The following are the most common risk factors for rosacea:

• Hot beverages
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• Exposure to sunlight or wind
• Extremes of emotion
• Rigorous physical workout
• Cosmetics
• Intestinal bacteria like Helicobacter pylori
• Medication for dilating blood vessels

Other risk factors for developing this skin condition are being a woman with a fair complexion, above the age of 30, smoking, and a family history of the disease. For some people, the redness of the skin is a temporary occurrence. The redness may disappear after some time. For example, if you develop redness due to exertion, then resting may help it disappear. Skin infections caused by skin mites may also cause redness of the skin. People consuming cathelicidin, which is a protein for protection against infection, may experience worsening of rosacea symptoms.

Rosacea rarely occurs in children. The symptoms of the disease first surface at the age of 20 years. Severe symptoms of the disease that last for a long time require immediate medical attention. When left untreated, rosacea may lead to psychological complications like depression, feeling isolated, and withdrawn. Rhinophyma and ocular (eye) rosacea may cause permanent damage to the nose and eyes when left untreated.