Skin signs of rosacea outside the central face may be more common than is widely recognized, according to a new study presented by Dr. Joel Bamford, associate professor of family practice, University of Minnesota - Duluth, during the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

"Almost everyone thinks of rosacea as being a facial condition," Dr. Bamford said. Yet, in a study of 94 patients with rosacea, he found that 42 to 84 percent showed skin signs beyond the face.

If you're keeping up on rosacea, you may come across medical terminology that is commonly used to describe and explain the condition. Here is a list of frequently used technical terms and their meanings.

A twice-daily facial cleansing and gentle skin-care routine can help control rosacea, according to a new survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society.

In the survey of 1,633 rosacea patients, 78 percent said their facial cleansing routine had helped control their rosacea. Of those surveyed, over 69 percent reported washing their face twice a day and 24 percent said they did it once a day. Most often, 83 percent of the time, facial cleansing was performed at the sink, compared with 39 percent in the shower.

"Makeup! Makeup!" Do shouts of a movie director yelling for a fresh powdering echo through your mind when you look in the mirror?

Facing the redness and blemishes of rosacea can be difficult, but the knowledgeable and creative use of cosmetics can help conceal the rosy glow, pimples and visible blood vessels often caused by the condition.

Five new studies of rosacea have been awarded funding as part of the National Rosacea Society's research grants program to advance scientific and medical understanding of this widespread but poorly understood facial disorder, estimated to affect 14 million Americans.

Q. Rosacea seems to affect my eyes more in the winter. Is there anything I can do?

A. Wind and cold temperatures may cause irritation and increase the watery discharge associated with ocular rosacea (eye symptoms)¹. Besides limiting time outdoors during winter, patients with ocular rosacea can protect their eyes from icy blasts by wearing ultraviolet protective glasses or sunglasses.

Sandra (not her real name) was born with delicate skin. As a result, she was accustomed to being careful and cautious with the things she came in contact with.

"Since childhood I have had sensitive skin," she said. "I am very fair and most over-the-counter products sting and burn so badly I have to immediately rinse them off."

When she developed rosacea just prior to turning 30, it was really no surprise.