There are a number of conditions that have similar symptoms and patterns to rosacea such as acne, some types of dermatitis, lupus and keratosis pilaris.

Rosacea can affect the nose and cause rhinophyma, but this is uncommon. It usually only develops in rosacea which has been active and left untreated for many years and because of this it may be more common when patients are middle-aged.

Rosacea is not related to poor hygiene.

Patients should use a mild soap or non-soap cleansers. Use your fingertips to apply the cleanser, avoid using rough cloths or sponges. Wash the cleanser away with lukewarm water (hot or cold water may cause flushing) and pat your face dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing the skin with a towel because this may cause irritation.

Many rosacea sufferers will also have dry skin. Moisturising affected areas can help with any dryness, stinging and irritation. Patients may find creams designed for sensitive skin are gentler and cause less irritation. These can be used together with topical medication but make sure to leave at least 30 minutes between different creams or ointments.

Rosacea is not considered an infectious disease, and there is no evidence that it can be spread by contact with the skin or through inhaling airborne bacteria.

Although no scientific research has been performed on rosacea and heredity, there is evidence that suggests rosacea may be inherited. More than half of rosacea patients surveyed by the National Rosacea Society said they had at least one family member who had similar symptoms. In addition, although people of any race may have rosacea, there are strong signs that ethnicity is a factor in one's potential to develop rosacea.

It is sometimes possible to identify "prerosacea" in teenagers and persons in their early 20s. These individuals generally come to the dermatologist for acne treatment and exhibit flushing and blushing episodes that last longer than normal. The prolonged redness usually appears over the cheeks, chin, nose or forehead. Once identified, these rosacea-prone individuals can be counseled to avoid aggravating lifestyle and environmental factors known to cause repeated flushing reactions that may lead to full-blown rosacea.

There are no histological, serological or other diagnostic tests for rosacea. A diagnosis of rosacea must come from your physician after a thorough examination of your signs and symptoms and a medical history.

There is no way to predict for certain how an individual's rosacea will progress, although physicians have observed that the signs and symptoms tend to become increasingly severe without treatment.

Rosacea is a chronic disorder, rather than a short-term condition, and is often characterized by relapses and remissions. While at present there is no cure for rosacea, its symptoms can usually be controlled with medical therapy and lifestyle modifications. Moreover, studies have shown that rosacea patients who continue therapy for the long term are less likely to experience a recurrence of symptoms.

Rosacea can present itself in different ways for different individuals. Rosacea patients may exhibit varying levels of severity of symptoms over different areas of the face. Patients have often reported that the disorder actually began with a red spot or patch on one cheek or another part of the face, and then spread to other areas. On the other hand, many rosacea patients exhibit similar symptoms on both sides of their faces.

Rosacea and regular acne, usually appear separately, but some patients are affected by both. While both conditions in adults are often informally referred to as "adult acne," they are two separate diseases, each requiring different therapy.

It has been estimated that approximately half of all rosacea sufferers may appear to experience dry skin. With treatment, this dryness often eases along with disappearance of papules and pustules. To combat dry, flaky skin, use a moisturizer daily after cleansing and applying medication.

There is no standard skin type for rosacea patients. Many sufferers experience dry, flaky skin, while others may have normal or oily skin, or both. The key is to identify your skin type and use medication and skin-care products that are suitable for you.

It is not unusual for seborrheic dermatitis to appear concurrently with rosacea.

No, nothing in the medical literature links rosacea and atopic dermatitis, or eczema. The two diseases may share some symptoms, but also have many differences.

No medical evidence has linked rosacea directly with skin cancer. Rosacea sufferers may be more likely to develop skin cancer later in life because of their frequent light complexions and propensity to injury from ultra-violet radiation from the sun. It is important that you consult your dermatologist if you have any signs of possible skin cancer, such as a mole that is enlarged or asymmetric or that has an irregular border or varying color.

Although it is not a common feature of rosacea, symptoms have been reported to appear beyond the face.

The hot flashes sometimes associated with menopause may bring on a flare-up or even the initial onset of rosacea.

Yes. Known as ocular rosacea, eye symptoms may include a watery or bloodshot appearance and a dry, gritty feeling with burning, itching and/or stinging. Individuals with rosacea may be prone to styes, and light sensitivity and blurred vision may also be present. Left untreated, decreased visual acuity due to corneal involvement may occur.

some of the most common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, alcohol, spicy foods, heavy exercise, hot baths, heated beverages and certain skin-care products.

Although there are no data available on how quickly a rosacea trigger may lead to a flare-up, the time is likely to vary depending on the individual and the nature of the trigger. Try monitoring your individual case to see how quickly your rosacea has responded.

Allergies may cause an altered reaction of the body that includes flushing, which frequently triggers rosacea symptoms. As with more common rosacea triggers, identifying and avoiding allergens — the substances you are reacting to — may also help control your rosacea.

Any activity such as exercise that causes flushing or overheats the face has the potential to spark a rosacea flare-up. Ways to help reduce the incidence of flare-ups include working out in the early morning or late evening when weather is cooler; working out more frequently but for shorter intervals; keeping cool indoors by running a fan or opening a window; and cooling off by keeping a damp towel on your neck, drinking cold fluids or chewing on ice chips.

The signs and symptoms of rosacea vary substantially from one patient to another, and treatment must therefore be tailored by a physician for each individual case. Some patients are troubled by redness and flushing, while others have bumps and pimples, thickening of the skin, or eye rosacea or combinations. For patients with bumps and pimples, doctors often prescribe oral and topical rosacea therapy, and a topical therapy to reduce facial redness is now available.

It is unknown exactly why antibiotics work against rosacea, but it is widely believed that it is due to their anti-inflammatory properties, rather than their bacteria-fighting capabilities.

Topical antibiotics result in such minimal levels of medication in the bloodstream, if any, that there is virtually no risk of developing bacterial resistance at sites other than where the topical antibiotic is being applied.

Topical therapy usually controls rosacea on a long-term basis, without loss of effectiveness.

While effective in treating certain skin conditions, long-term use of topical steroids may prompt rosacea-like symptoms informally called "steroid-induced rosacea." While some physicians may prescribe a short course of a steroid to immediately reduce severe inflammation, if you are concerned about a medication you are taking, your best bet is to discuss this with your physician.