Living with rosacea

Rosacea can cause flushing, persistent facial redness, visible small blood vessels, burning or stinging, and acne-like pimples. Skin may become unusually sensitive to products, heat, sunlight, alcohol, spicy food, stress, or exercise, although triggers vary between people. Rosacea is not the same as acne and is not contagious.

Eye symptoms can occur alongside facial disease. Gritty, dry, irritated, light-sensitive eyes or swollen eyelids deserve medical attention because eye involvement needs a different assessment.

Keep a brief trigger diary rather than avoiding every possible trigger. Wash with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, moisturise, and introduce one new product at a time. Use broad-spectrum sun protection and a hat or shade. Avoid scrubbing, abrasive exfoliants, fragranced products, and repeated hot-water exposure when they sting.

A clinician may suggest azelaic acid treatment for bumps and inflammation. IPL photofacial or pulsed dye laser treatment may be discussed for persistent visible redness or vessels; suitability depends on skin tone, symptoms, medicines, and the diagnosis. Treatment usually controls features rather than changing your skin permanently.

Arrange review when redness persists, flares are becoming harder to manage, pimples are painful, or products burn repeatedly. Seek prompt eye assessment for eye pain, vision changes, marked light sensitivity, or a feeling that something is stuck in the eye. Sudden facial swelling with breathing or swallowing difficulty requires emergency care.

Ask whether your pattern is rosacea or another cause of skin redness, which triggers are worth tracking, how to introduce treatment safely, and whether your eye symptoms need review. Ask what improvement to look for and when the plan should be reassessed.