Acne rosacea is a chronic disease of sebacious glands and hair follicles in combination with hypersensitivity of superficial capillaries to heat exposure. Rosacea is characterized by developing of vascular spiders (telangiectasia).

According to the statistics acne rosacea affects nearly 14 millions of people in the USA. The disease is more common for women aged 35-55 years (especially during menopause). Acne rosacea tends to develop in people with fair skin, however, it may occur in people with any skin color. Patients with this pathology experience regular hot flashings (sudden occurrence of hyperemia of the skin with sense of fever) in response to hot food, alcohol, high temperature, insolation. Rosacea is a common in patients with concomitant seborrhea or acne vulgaris. It is not improbable that Demodex ticks are involved in rosacea pathogenesis.

Rosacea is characterized by several developmental stages. Prodromal period is manifested in subjective sensations of heat in the skin, hot flashes. Then follows the first stage of acne during which patients develop vascular spiders. During the 2 stage some patients may also have papules and pustules appearing on cheeks, chin, forehead, sometimes on neck and scalp.

The 3rd stage of the disease is characterized by persistent erythema, developing the network of vascular spiders, papules and pustules, hyperplasia of sebaceous glands. Also some patients may develop rhinophyma ( persistent redness on the nose), blepharophyma and otophyma, gnathophyma. In many cases the disease affects eyes causing conjunctivitis, blepharitis and episcleritis. In very severe cases rosacea may result in keratitis and corneal ulcer.

In spite of the fact that there is not cure for acne rosacea, the disease can be successfully controlled. Acne rosacea treatment is focused on controlling symptoms and improving the skin appearance. A lot of patients may reduce rosacea symptoms by following appropriate skin care recommendations and trying to avoid risk factors.

If the medications are prescribed, it may take several weeks and months to notice any improvements.