Identifying Rosacea

It is important to get a correct diagnosis for rosacea as other skin disorders and illnesses may appear similar to rosacea. There are no specific tests for rosacea. The diagnosis is usually made by the appearance alone.

Symptoms of rosacea include:

* Facial redness that looks like flushing or blushing. The facial redness is the result of increases in the amount of blood flow through small blood vessels and the vessels expand to accommodate this flow. The redness initially may come and go but can become more permanent with time.
* Many people also have enlarged blood vessels under the skin, which are noticeable as red lines through the skin, especially when the overall redness fades.
*Facial Burning, Stinging or Itching which are the result of the flushing episodes described above. 
*Sometimes soft facial swelling may last for days.
*The pimples of rosacea, which often occur as the disease progresses, are different from those of acne because blackheads and whiteheads are not present. Some of these pimples contain pus and appear as small white bumps. Left untreated larger nodules can develop.
*Some people also experience ocular symptoms with rosacea. There are often more common in people taking antibiotic tablets for their facial rosacea symptoms.