Symptoms of Rosacea and Common Misdiagnoses

Rosacea is a relatively common condition characterized by redness and swelling of the skin, typically in the facial region. It is found more often in women with Caucasian ancestry. Normally, it develops after the age of 30, although signs of pre-rosacea may be present earlier. The red and bumpy appearance of rosacea can mimic many other skin conditions, including acne, eczema, dermatitis, and others. Since it resembles a multitude of other skin disorders, it is very easy to misdiagnose roacea, leading to complications when patients attempt to treat it.

How to Recognize Rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea vary from person to person, but several of these signs will be present in the majority of patients:

• Flushing – Excessive blushing or flushing is often one of the first signs of rosacea. As blood vessels dilate at the surface of the skin, the region becomes warm and particularly red.
• Facial Redness – In addition to temporary redness, most patients will also experience long-term reddening of the skin. This is one of the primary features of the disorder.
• Bumps and Pustules – Often, rosacea sufferers will experience acne-like lesions that range from small inflamed pimples to cysts.
• Visible Blood Vessels – In addition to reddening of the skin, rosacea may be shown in the form of visible blood vessels around the nose or cheeks.
• Eye Irritation – Another very common symptoms of rosacea is eye irritation, including a feeling of burning or itching in the eyes.

Common Misdiagnoses of Rosacea

• Acne Vulgaris – Rosacea sufferers are often prone to developing pustules and nodules very similar to those with acne. They can take the form of harmless pimples or scarring cystic lesions. Many people are quick to say that it is simply a case of adult acne, but that may not always be the case. Acne involves both inflamed bumps, and clogged pores that present themselves as blackheads. Typically, blackheads will not be present in those with rosacea.
• Eczema – Rosacea may also be confused with another similar skin disorder called eczema. Both conditions result in redness and itchiness, hence the confusion. While rosacea can manifest as both redness and pimples, eczema is simply shown as irritated skin. It may also look slightly different, becoming cracked or scaly and weeping a clear fluid. Eczema can show up anywhere on the body, while rosacea is often confined to facial skin.
• Lupus Erythematosus – As an autoimmune disease, lupus erythematosus affects the immune system, leading to symptoms that could be confused with rosacea. This disease can be life-threatening, affecting both the skin and invading many other organs within the body. When lupus erythematosus affects the skin, it can appear as a red rash on the face, and looks similar to the redness created by rosacea.
• Seborrheic Dermatitis – Seborrheic dermatitis is another condition that mimics rosacea. It is characdterized by a red, scaly rash that appears up the upper part of the body and face. This condition can be caused by a number of factors, including stress and Parkinson’s disease. It is also seen more often in patients with HIV, or those that are medically obese. While this is a distinct condition, rosacea patients may be afflicted by both disorders at once.
• Perioral Dermatitis – Perioral dermatitis can look very similar to rosacea or acne. It presents itself as small pimples or blisters on the face, often around the mouth and nose regions. Unlike rosacea, it is not accompanied by the characteristic flushing and redness. Like rosacea, it is more common in women. It is treated in much the same way as rosacea, with topical and oral medications.