Adult rosacea: recognising and managing flare-ups

It mainly affects the central face and can change over time. Some people notice visible fine blood vessels, rough or thickened skin, or irritated eyes. Rosacea is not contagious and is different from acne, although both can cause spots.

Flushing may come and go before redness becomes more persistent. Skin can sting or burn when water, skincare, or cosmetics are applied. On darker skin tones, colour change may be less conspicuous, making warmth, swelling, sensitivity, and changes from the person's usual tone especially useful clues.

Common individual triggers include sun exposure, heat, hot drinks, spicy food, alcohol, emotional stress, vigorous exercise, and irritating products. A trigger diary can reveal patterns without requiring unnecessary restriction. Rosacea can also affect the eyelids and eye surface, causing grittiness, dryness, watering, light sensitivity, or recurrent eyelid irritation.

Wash with lukewarm water and a mild fragrance-free cleanser, using fingertips rather than a scrub or brush. Pat dry, apply a simple moisturiser, and use broad-spectrum sun protection suitable for sensitive skin. Introduce new products separately so any irritant is easier to identify.

Treatment depends on the dominant feature. Prescription topical medicines such as azelaic acid may help inflammatory bumps, while other medicines may target redness or inflammation. Persistent visible vessels can be considered for light or laser treatment after assessment. These procedures reduce selected vessels but do not remove the tendency to flare, so ongoing skin care remains useful.

Arrange a dermatology or primary-care review when facial redness or bumps persist, the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms affect daily life, or non-prescription products cause repeated irritation. Gradual thickening or enlargement of skin, particularly around the nose, also warrants assessment because targeted treatment may limit further change.

Eye pain, marked light sensitivity, blurred vision, a very red eye, or a sensation that something is stuck in the eye needs prompt eye assessment. These symptoms may signal corneal involvement and should not be managed only with facial skincare. Sudden facial swelling with breathing difficulty requires emergency help.

Describe whether flushing, fixed redness, bumps, burning, or eye irritation troubles you most. Ask which products to avoid, how long a prescribed medicine may take to help, and what to do during a flare. If considering laser or light therapy, discuss your skin tone, expected skin reactions, sun precautions, and the possibility of maintenance sessions.