What does rosacea feel like?

What sensations should you notice?

• Warmth: flushing often comes with a warm feeling. On darker skin, warm cheeks can be the only noticeable sign of flushing.
• Burning or stinging: washing your face or applying products can sting. For some people, even water causes discomfort.
• Dryness and tightness: skin can feel rough, scaly or tight rather than just look red.
• Itching: itch is less common, but dry or irritated skin can itch.

Does rosacea always look red?

No. The colour can look red, violet or brown depending on your skin tone. Small visible blood vessels are harder to see on darker skin. Bumps, including bumps containing pus, can appear across skin tones. Swelling can occur around the eyes, forehead or cheeks, and affected skin can feel bumpy. Your face can also feel oily, so dryness is not a requirement.12

Does the feeling come and go?

Many symptoms come and go. Flushing can happen with stress, alcohol, spicy food or becoming too warm. Sun exposure can make skin feel more sensitive, even after a short time outdoors. As rosacea progresses, flushing and colour changes can last longer. Rosacea is a long term condition, not necessarily a constant sensation. There is no cure, but treatment can help control it.123

What does rosacea feel like in the eyes?

Eye symptoms include grittiness, dryness, itching, burning, soreness or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye. Eyes can water, become sensitive to light or develop changes in vision. Eyelids can become red and swollen. This is called ocular rosacea, meaning rosacea affecting the eyes. Eye problems can start before facial symptoms and require immediate medical care.12

Could it be acne instead?

Rosacea is also called 'acne rosacea', a name that gives the distinction extra paperwork. Despite the similar looking bumps, rosacea is not acne and does not improve with over the counter acne treatment. A dermatologist can assess your symptoms rather than relying on the appearance of the bumps alone.234

What should you do about the discomfort?

Notice which exposures make symptoms worse: triggers differ from person to person. Avoiding your triggers can help reduce flares. Use sunscreen every day and avoid sun exposure; heat, hot baths, wind, cold weather and particular skin products can also aggravate symptoms. Washing, sunscreen and makeup can cause stinging. A soothing product name is still a product name, not a report from your face.24

Arrange a dermatologist appointment if these symptoms recur or facial colour changes start lasting longer. A diagnosis involves examining your skin and asking about your medical history. Treatment can reduce discomfort and prevent worsening; you do not have to wait for every sign to appear.24