Patty couldn't imagine there might be a medical reason for her red puffy nose. She did think it was strange, however, that the redness seemed to appear after drinking coffee.

A bank officer, Patty started noticing the redness after her morning coffee break. "My colleagues started making comments," she said. "I was concerned because in my position, I was constantly before the public."

While sipping hot coffee, running laps or a day at the beach may cause the average person to flush harmlessly, such innocuous deeds can wreak havoc on the face of a rosacea sufferer. Because rosacea is characterized by flare-ups and remissions as it grows increasingly more severe, sufferers of this conspicuous and embarrassing disorder are advised to identify and avoid those factors that seem to aggravate their individual conditions.

There's nothing like a red face to get people to notice you – for all the wrong reasons. On first encounter, they may wonder whether it's shyness, alcohol or poor hygiene that is responsible for a nose or cheeks as red as Vermont in autumn, or pimples that look like they should have disappeared after your high school prom.

"Why me?" is a question many ask when they find themselves with the embarrassing effects of rosacea -- which may include facial redness, visible blood vessels, bumps, pimples, eye irritation and other symptoms if left untreated. While rosacea can strike all segments of the population, surveys by the National Rosacea Society have revealed a profile of those most at risk for this conspicuous and increasingly common condition:

Although the underlying cause or causes of rosacea have yet to be discovered, this unsightly and embarrassing condition can now be successfully controlled with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications to avoid those factors that may aggravate or trigger its signs and symptoms.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (February 4, 2015) – While researchers continue to make progress in understanding the disease process of rosacea, lack of public awareness of the disorder remains a stumbling block to its control. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on the warning signs of this chronic and widespread facial condition now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (January 22, 2015) -- The National Rosacea Society (NRS) announced it has awarded funding for three new studies, in addition to continuing support for two ongoing studies, as part of its research grants program to increase knowledge and understanding of the potential causes and other key aspects of rosacea.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (February 3, 2014) – Rosacea's effect on quality of life can be devastating even when the physical symptoms are relatively mild, according to recent patient survey data. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on the impact of this chronic and widespread facial disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (January 15, 2014) – The emotional impact of rosacea is often substantial regardless of subtype or severity, according to results of a new survey of 1,675 rosacea patients conducted by the National Rosacea Society. 

BARRINGTON, Illinois (November 12, 2013) -- The National Rosacea Society (NRS) announced it has awarded funding for two new studies, in addition to continuing support for five ongoing studies during the year, as part of its research grants program to increase knowledge and understanding of the potential causes and other key aspects of rosacea.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (September 4, 2013) – Residents of New England appear to suffer the highest incidence of rosacea in the United States, while those in Hawaii may be affected the least, according to a geographic analysis of National Rosacea Society (NRS) membership data.  This conspicuous, red-faced disorder is now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

CHICAGO (April 1, 2013) – For many individuals with rosacea, every social occasion can feel like a minefield no matter how mild their condition, according to a new survey by the National Rosacea Society (NRS). April has been designated as Rosacea Awareness Month by the NRS to alert the public to the early warning signs of this chronic and conspicuous facial disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (February 1, 2013) – For individuals with rosacea, every social occasion can feel like a minefield, no matter how mild their condition. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to alert the public to the early warning signs of this chronic and conspicuous facial disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.

NORTH POLE (December 5, 2012) – Allegations that Santa Claus’ red nose and cheeks were due to drinking too much spiked eggnog were laid to rest today when the negative results of a blood alcohol test were released. “There was no alcohol in his blood,” stated the medical examiner. His test did, however, register unusually high levels of gingerbread and hot chocolate, officials reported.

BARRINGTON, Illinois (September 25, 2012) — While the conspicuous red face and blemishes of rosacea can be embarrassing enough, they tell only part of the story as a new survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) shows that significant physical discomfort often accompanies the visible signs of this widespread disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans.