Much to their chagrin, millions of American adults are now walking around red-faced, and many of them don’t know why. They may assume it’s just a temporary complexion problem, and like teenage acne it will eventually go away by itself. What they don’t realize is that they are likely to be unknowing victims of rosacea – “The Great Impostor” – a complex and potentially serious facial disorder that can lead to significant disruption and untold anguish in their personal lives if left untreated.

Eye symptoms are common in rosacea patients and eye dryness is an early sign of subtype 4 (ocular) rosacea, according to a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.¹

The Spring Rosacea Review is now online at rosacea.org. This issue reviews the National Rosacea Society’s public awareness activities during Rosacea Awareness Month and also offers advice to those with rosacea who are confronted with awkward questions about their condition.

Today's expanding knowledge of the many potential signs and symptoms of rosacea can help unmask this widespread but poorly understood facial disorder now estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to alert the public to the warning signs of rosacea and to encourage those who suffer from this conspicuous and often embarrassing condition to seek diagnosis and appropriate treatment before it increasingly disrupts their daily lives.

While some people may enjoy a drink or two as a way to lift their spirits or relax and unwind, many rosacea patients find that alcohol simply adds to their stress level by causing an outbreak of signs and symptoms.

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For many parts of the country winter means strong winds and colder temperatures, both of which can wreak havoc on the sensitive skin of rosacea patients. Even those who live in more moderate climates need to be prepared for sudden weather changes that can bring on a flare-up. Here are some tips to help you through the season:

Many of the factors considered potential causes of rosacea are now coming into sharp focus as a result of medical studies funded by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) research grants program, and the growing body of scientific evidence is making major strides toward defining the precise development of this widespread disorder.

Improper use of oral antibiotics, including long-term use over months to years, has resulted in resistant bacteria that are posing a serious health threat, according to Dr. Theodore Rosen, professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. He also noted that alternative options are available that can minimize this risk.