What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face. Typical symptoms include redness and a tendency to flush, small visible blood vessels, and papules and pustule-like lesions. Some people also experience a stinging, tingling, or warm sensation on the skin.
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may resemble other skin conditions. Therefore, it may be a good idea to see a dermatologist if you are unsure of the cause of your skin changes or have lesions that keep coming back.
Rosacea is usually diagnosed based on the appearance of the skin, your symptoms, and how they have progressed. Information about what triggers or worsens your symptoms may also be taken into account in the evaluation.
When might an examination be appropriate?
A dermatological evaluation may be appropriate, among other things, if you experience persistent or recurring facial redness, visible small blood vessels, bumps, or pimple-like breakouts.
It may also be relevant if you have previously received treatment that was not effective enough, or if you are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by rosacea or another skin condition.
During the consultation, the dermatologist will evaluate your symptoms as a whole and determine what will be appropriate for your next steps.
Preliminary Examination and Skin Screening
If rosacea is suspected, the examination focuses primarily on the changes on your face and your medical history. The dermatologist will typically ask how your symptoms have developed and whether you’ve noticed anything that causes your skin to flush.
As part of this service, the skin is also examined all over the body using a dermatoscope. The dermatoscope allows the dermatologist to see the skin’s structures in greater detail and is used here as part of a more comprehensive examination of the skin.
After the examination, you will receive a diagnosis and a recommendation based on the dermatologist’s findings and your symptoms.