Why do some people get rosacea, while others do not?

Wednesday, June 17 2009

This is a question that’s been around since long before rosacea had a name. The redness of the skin, the pimples, the swelling of the nose – these are just three symptoms that come with rosacea, a skin condition that can make life miserable. It is believed that rosacea may be the result of blood vessels in the face dilating too easily, and that bacteria may cause the acne-like bumps that can turn into whiteheads and even be quite painful to touch.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason about who gets rosacea and why. There is evidence that it can be hereditary, but there is no conclusive scientific evidence for who gets it and why. It’s the luck of the draw, and bad luck at that.

Sometimes rosacea can center around the nose, as in the case of the comedian W.C. Fields, whose red, bulbous nose was a result of the condition.  It worked well in his case, as he often portrayed a character who drank too much. But it’s no laughing matter for people whose complexions are adversely affected by the disease. Drugs such as Metrogel or then oral Oracea, which may be available through an online pharmacy, have been shown to help.