Dermatologists report that the incidence of rosacea, which currently affects an estimated 13 million Americans, appears to be rapidly increasing now that the 77 million members of the baby boom generation have entered the most susceptible age. To encourage wider knowledge of this disorder, the National Rosacea Society has joined the "information highway" to add yet another way for rosacea sufferers to obtain information on their condition.

While acknowledging that rosacea is more widespread among fair-skinned individuals, researchers found that rosacea is "not uncommon" in Korea, according to information presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Rosacea was diagnosed in about 1 percent of nearly 6,000 patients who visited the clinic of Drs. B. J. Kim, J. M. Park, J. N. Park and W. S. Koh of the Department of Dermatology, Inje University College of Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.

With spring blossoming and summer approaching, a majority of rosacea sufferers may find they must take special precautions to avoid flare-ups, according to a survey by the National Rosacea Society.

In the survey of more than 700 rosacea sufferers, 71 percent said their condition was affected by changes in seasons. Of all the seasons, summer was found the hardest to endure by most, with 57 percent of the respondents reporting that their symptoms are at their worst during this time of year.

John was a respected professor on a college campus. Then at the age of 57, he started to have trouble with pimples and redness on his face, mostly on his nose. He had periodic outbreaks, followed by soreness and an embarrassing red nose. Though John's facial problems didn't seem to affect his professional relationships, he was still concerned.

"I was worried that people might associate my red nose with drinking," he said.

Q. It seems the list of tripwires that might trigger rosacea flare-ups is endless, and now I am afraid to try anything. What should I do?

A. Numerous items have been identified by various rosacea sufferers as causing rosacea flare-ups in their particular cases. However, because each individual is unique, what causes a flare-up for one sufferer may not for another. Before you start avoiding everything, try keeping track of your daily activities and the corresponding condition of your rosacea to pinpoint and avoid exactly what seems to aggravate your particular case.

Topical antibiotics are widely prescribed to reduce redness, bumps and pimples as well as to help maintain remission of rosacea. Here is a way recommended by medical experts to use your medication in combination with other skin care products.

1. Cleanse your face each morning, being careful not to irritate it. Rinse with plenty of water, and use a cotton towel with a thick pile to blot your face dry. Then wait for it to air dry.