skin disorders
Rosacea
Symptoms of Rosacea
Rosacea affects only the face and scalp. It has four phases: Pre-rosacea phase (phase 1): The skin over the cheeks and nose becomes flushed, but for longer periods of time than normal, and may sting. Vascular phase (phase 2): The skin appears red and swollen, with small blood vessels visible just below the surface (called telangiectasia). Inflammatory phase (phase 3): Often small pimples develop, sometimes with some pus (called pustules). Late phase (phase 4): In some people, the skin around the nose occasionally thickens, making it look red and bulbous (called rhinophyma). In rosacea, the face can become red and develop pimples and pustules. Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD. This photo shows redness and telangiectasias on the cheeks of a woman who has vascular rosacea. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows vivid redness and small solid pimples (papules) in a woman who has inflammatory rosacea. Surface bumps containing pus (pustules) are also present, but they are faint. © Springer Science+Business Media This photo shows rhinophyma, characterized by thickened skin and enlargement of the nose, in a person who has rosacea. © Springer Science+Business Media Rosacea that affects the eyes (called ocular rosacea) often accompanies rosacea that affects the face. Symptoms of ocular rosacea may include inflammation of the eyelids, conjunctiva, iris, sclera, cornea, or a combination that causes itching, a feeling as though something is in the eye (foreign body sensation), redness, and swelling of the eye. 