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Types Of Rosacea

Rosacea is a condition that affects more European and fair-skinned people than other groups. Flushing and redness of the skin characterize it. Rosacea can be clearly differentiated from acne because there are no comedones, and skin is usually dry, not oily.

But there are a whole range of symptoms associated with rosacea, and these symptoms have help specialists define it into subtypes. This is important, as treatments for each rosacea type are usually quite different.

EMedicine.com describe the subtypes as follows:

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

People with this type of rosacea have flushing in the center of the face. They don't usually have oily skin, so they experience more rough, scaly patches on their face, without the papules and pustules. They often feel a burning or stinging in those areas, which feel worse when topical creams are used. Stress, especially emotional, alcohol, spicy food, hot weather, and exercise usually act as triggers.

Papulopustular rosacea

This is your typical rosacea - flushing in the center of the face, with small papules with tiny pustules on top of them. Blood vessels are likely to be enlarged permanently, which is responsible for the redness in the skin and mucous membranes.

Ocular rosacea

Rosacea can affect the eyes. Inflammation of the eyelids, and the meibomian glands, conjunctivitis, stinging eyes, problems with light (irritation), and watery or bloodshot eyes can occur. These symptoms can develop before any skin symptoms do, but they also can appear at the same time.  

Phymatous rosacea

With this type of rosacea, skin becomes very thick and irregular on the nose, chin, forehead, and either both ears or just one. The eyelids can also be affected by it. The nose itself can become either fibrous, glandular, fibroangiomatous or actinic (rough). This type of rosacea may need surgery, and is usually treated with isotretinoin.