Rosacea is skin disorder in which the face flushes, becoming red and warm. People between the ages of 30 and 50 who have fair complexions are the most commonly affected population. Rosacea is quite common, affecting approximately 14 million people in the United States, according to the Rush University Medical Center. Rosacea often is categorized into four main types, with a fifth type, ocular rosacea, sometimes occurring concomitantly with one of the other types.
Prerosacea
Prerosacea causes the least skin changes among the different types of rosacea. This skin disorder is characterized by periods of blushing and facial flushing. In addition, the skin of the face and neck become red and warm or may sting. Certain factors are common triggers for prerosacea episodes, including cold or hot weather and exposure to the sun, eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol or hot liquids, or wearing makeup.
Vascular Rosacea
This type of rosacea involves swelling of the blood vessels under the skin of the face. Vascular rosacea also causes the episodes of warm, red skin of prerosacea, but the swollen blood vessels lead to a collection of fluid in the face, causing the skin to swell. This type of rosacea is especially common in women. Merck Manuals adds that vascular rosacea may involve telangiectasias, a condition in which small sections of the swollen blood vessels are near enough to the surface of the skin to be visible. Telangiectasias results in small red spots or streaks appearing on the skin, usually on the cheeks or nose.
Inflammatory Rosacea
Inflammatory rosacea is characterized by the appearance of bumps on top of the skin of the face in addition to the redness and heat produced in all forms of rosacea. Some of these bumps are filled with pus and are called pustules; other bumps not filled with pus are called papules. The Oregon Health and Science University notes that blood vessels are swollen in inflammatory rosacea.
Rhinophyma
This form of rosacea is the most severe and involves the enlargement of oil glands on the nose and cheeks. The enlarged oil glands and inflammation causes collagen deposits on the skin of the nose and cheeks, resulting in a buildup of tissue. Left untreated, rhinophyma will result in a larger bulbous nose.
Ocular Rosacea
Merck Manuals reports that ocular rosacea often accompanies other forms of rosacea. This type of rosacea affects the eyes, causing them to become watery, itchy, swollen and turn red in color.
