Redness is just one symptom of the skin disorder known as rosacea. However, just because your skin is red does not necessarily mean you have rosacea. How can you tell the difference between the two?
The best way is to get a true diagnosis through a medical provider such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or physician (and it’s best to go to one with experience in dermatology and/or skin health).
Redness can simply be a result of:
- Skin irritation (from the wrong skincare or exposure to certain chemicals)
- Damaged skin barrier (from over-exfoliating, improper pH, and more)
- Sun damage resulting in broken blood vessels
- Normal flushing (exercise, hot/cold weather, embarrassment)
Here are some clues to help you determine if you might need to see someone:
- Duration – if your redness doesn’t come and go, it might be rosacea
- Triggers – if your redness seems to be triggered by certain things, like heat, caffeine, or alcohol, it may be rosacea
- Associated Symptoms – if your skin feels sensitive, burns/stings, has little bumps in the area of redness, and/or has broken blood vessels, it might be rosacea
Still not sure? We encourage you to make an appointment with us to talk about your skin’s redness. Together, we can develop a treatment plan that’s just right for you & your skin!
