Acne rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition frequently affecting the nose, cheeks, chin, eyelids, and forehead. Redness and spidery blood vessels can make rosacea look like acne skin eruptions and can make sufferers feel very self-conscious.

Where acne rosacea affects the nose and cheeks it may be mistaken for the butterfly rash of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or even for the facial flushing that can occur in chronic alcoholism.

What causes acne rosacea?

A growing body of research suggests an infectious cause of acne rosacea. People with rosacea have been found to have higher numbers of the Demodex mite on affected areas of skin, and bacterial infection (with Helicobacter pylori, for instance) has also been indicated as a trigger.

Stress may also trigger rosacea, with a link between low levels of stomach acid, stress, and the skin condition. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (known as SIBO) has also been suggested as a causal factor in acne rosacea symptoms.

There is no known cure for rosacea, but many effective remedies and treatments now exist, including dietary and lifestyle modifications. Nutrition is also a factor in rosacea, with certain nutrients helpful when used topically or orally. Together, a range of strategies can make a significant difference in the appearance of rosacea.