National Rosacea Society Offers New ‘Recognizing Redness’ Patient Tool

BARRINGTON, Illinois (August 14, 2019) — The National Rosacea Society has introduced an innovative public service booklet called “Recognizing Redness” to help rosacea sufferers assess facial redness, the primary diagnostic feature of this chronic facial skin disorder that affects more than 16 million Americans. The booklet includes a redness register to allow patients to gauge relative redness before and after flare-ups or treatment.

The redness register is a scale with nine shades of redness, from very light to dark red. In a well-lit room with a mirror, the patient holds the color scale to the back of their hand, neck or other area of skin that gets as much sun exposure as their face and determines the shade of redness that appears to represent the closest match for the redness in their skin, disregarding skin tone, and records the number. Next, the patient looks in the mirror and holds the redness register to their face where affected, determines the shade that most closely matches the redness, and records the number. A difference of two or more shades may indicate rosacea, and greater difference may indicate greater severity.

“The new Recognizing Redness booklet is an excellent tool for patients to understand the disorder and assess the fluctuations in their complexion,” said Dr. Estee Williams, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “Because rosacea redness is so variable and can be difficult to measure by eye, it is useful to be able to objectively track improvement made by medical therapy and avoidance of triggers for flareups.”

In addition to the redness register, the booklet includes information about rosacea and how it is diagnosed, as well as a list of the most common rosacea triggers.

The new “Recognizing Redness” booklet may be downloaded free of charge on the NRS website. It can also be obtained by writing the National Rosacea Society, 111 Lions Dr., Suite 216, Barrington, Illinois 60010, calling the Society toll-free at 1-888-NO-BLUSH or via e-mail at info@rosacea.org. Health professionals may also order bulk quantities for use as handouts to patients with rosacea. The new booklet was made possible by support from Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

What is Rosacea?
Although it can develop in many ways, rosacea typically first appears after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that grows ruddier and more persistent over time, and small blood vessels may become visible. Without treatment, bumps and pimples often develop, and burning and stinging are common. In severe cases, the nose may become enlarged from excess tissue, and in many rosacea patients the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot. Anyone who suspects they might have rosacea should see a dermatologist for diagnosis and appropriate care.

About the National Rosacea Society
The National Rosacea Society is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of the estimated 16 million Americans who suffer from this widespread but poorly understood disorder. Its mission is to raise awareness of rosacea, provide public health information on the disorder and support medical research that may lead to improvements in its management, prevention and potential cure.

Comprehensive information and materials on rosacea are available on the NRS website at rosacea.org. The NRS may also be followed on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest for up-to-date information and tips on rosacea. Further information may be obtained by writing the National Rosacea Society, 111 Lions Dr., Suite 216, Barrington, Illinois 60010; via email at info@rosacea.org; or by calling 847-382-8971.

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