Does rosacea itch?

Why does rosacea itch?

Rosacea involves inflammation and unusually sensitive skin. The skin barrier, the outer layer that helps protect the skin, can also be impaired. Inflammation can alter that barrier and contribute to a cycle of longer flares and worsening symptoms. Rosacea can affect oily skin as well as dry skin, so oiliness does not rule out barrier problems.34

A product that makes your face itch, burn or sting is irritating your skin and can trigger a flare. Dryness and scaling after using a product are other clues. Triggers can worsen rosacea through inflammation and widening of facial blood vessels, although the exact cause of rosacea is still unknown.56

Is the itching definitely rosacea?

Rosacea often includes repeated flushing, persistent facial redness, visible blood vessels or inflamed bumps, particularly around the nose, cheeks and forehead. Eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and other conditions can resemble rosacea. A doctor diagnoses rosacea by examining your skin and asking about your symptoms and medical history, rather than using a single diagnostic test. Redness and visible vessels can be harder to recognise in darker skin, so describe the itching, burning and other sensations as well as what you can see.127

What should you do when your face itches?

Gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing are useful parts of rosacea care, even if neither makes a particularly dramatic product launch.7

1. 1Stop using a cosmetic, skincare or hair product that causes itching, burning, stinging or scaling. If a prescribed medicine seems to trigger symptoms, contact the prescriber rather than stopping it yourself.
2. 2Use a gentle cleanser instead of traditional soap, and moisturize frequently. Avoid exfoliants, astringents, toners and topical products containing alcohol. Check products used around your face for menthol, camphor and sodium lauryl sulfate, which are common rosacea triggers.
3. 3Apply a gentle, fragrance free, broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both are suitable options for sensitive rosacea skin. Add shade and a wide brimmed hat outdoors.
4. 4Reduce overheating with warm rather than hot showers. If you become overheated, use a fan, sip a cold drink or place a cool, wet cloth around your neck.
5. 5Follow your rosacea treatment plan. Do not start a steroid cream for facial itching on your own, because topical steroids can aggravate rosacea.

If you wear makeup, a light liquid foundation that spreads easily is an option, rather than treating application and removal as a small construction project. Apply a mild, fragrance free moisturizer first, and avoid waterproof makeup or heavy foundations that require makeup remover.5

How can you find what triggers the itching?

Keep a daily symptom diary for at least two weeks. Record products, food, drinks, exercise, stress and exposure to sun, heat, cold or wind, together with your symptoms and their severity. Look for repeated patterns rather than removing every possible trigger at once. Triggers differ between people: spicy food, alcohol or hot drinks only need attention if they worsen your symptoms. Avoiding your own triggers can reduce flares and improve results from treatment.36

When should you see a doctor?

Discuss facial itching with a doctor, especially if you have not been diagnosed or your symptoms remain uncontrolled. Treatment is chosen for the symptoms you have, and improvement can take several weeks to a few months. Tell your doctor about current medicines before starting a new treatment. Also seek medical assessment for irritated, watery or bloodshot eyes, swollen eyelids or sensitivity to light. Rosacea can affect the eyes, and severe untreated eye inflammation can damage vision.12