Facial burning and stinging are common symptoms of rosacea, but many rosacea patients also feel an emotional sting when acquaintances or even strangers make insensitive comments about their condition. Here are some tips for dealing with those awkward situations.

• Don't overreact. Whether you receive a comment or find yourself the object of a lingering stare during a flare-up, try not to respond emotionally. Instead, use this as an opportunity to educate others. Many people are unaware of rosacea, and knowledge leads to understanding.

• Head off the hurt. When meeting a new colleague or neighbor, bring up your rosacea if it seems appropriate. Taking the initiative to inform others about the disorder can also put them at ease.

• Describe the changing condition. Explain how rosacea causes redness, bumps and pimples that may come and go, and can become worse during a flare-up. Pass along that rosacea is not contagious and that you try to control the condition with medication and by avoiding personal rosacea triggers.

• Dispel myths. Mistakenly, some people associate red faces and noses with heavy drinking, and the acne-like signs of rosacea with poor hygiene. Point out that both are untrue in the case of rosacea.