Stage 2: Mild Rosacea

Symptoms

Abnormally long periods of facial flushing The mild stage of rosacea begins when the facial redness induced by flushing persists for an abnormal length of time (usually a half-an-hour or more after the trigger).

During this stage, many rosacea sufferers also report that their facial skin has a healthy-looking glow to it. mild rosacea

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General Discussion

In mild rosacea, facial blood vessels become even more reactive – resulting in greater blood flow through the superficial layers of the facial skin. Facial blood vessels also remain open for exaggerated periods of time, resulting in facial redness that persists for an extended period of time after the trigger is over. In mild rosacea, there may also be minor structural damage to facial blood vessels, but this is not an important factor at this stage.

Stage 3: Moderate Rosacea

Symptoms

Persistent redness that lasts for days or weeks. The moderate stage of rosacea begins when the facial redness persists for days or weeks – often becoming semi-permanent in the central areas of the face such as the nose and cheeks. This results in a generalized ‘sun-burnt’ or ‘wind-burnt’ look.

In facial areas where chronic flushing or redness is intense, swelling and burning sensations may also occur. A significant number of patients also report outbreaks of tiny red bumps during this stage. In most cases there are prominent areas of dilated blood vessels in facial areas where flushing is the worst. Rosacea How To Guide

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General Discussion On Rosacea

As facial flushing becomes more frequent and intense, blood vessels become more dysfunctional and often incur structural damage. These vascular changes result in long-lasting facial redness, broken blood vessels, swelling, and inflammatory bumps. Facial blood vessel damage can range from mild damage that can still function normally, to severe damage denoted by permanently dilated vessels that cannot repair themselves.

The result is skin that is in a chronic inflammatory state. This in turn stimulates the growth of new vessels to handle the increased blood flow, and the fusion of pre-existing damaged vessels. Both of these changes, in turn, worsen the entire vascular disease. The damaged and dysfunctional facial blood vessels can also contribute to swelling, inflammatory papules and pustules.

Stage 4: Severe Rosacea

Symptoms

Intense bouts of facial flushing, severe inflammation, swelling and burning sensations. A small portion of sufferers progress to the final stage of rosacea which is characterized by intense bouts of facial flushing, severe inflammation, swelling, facial pain, and debilitating burning sensations. On top of the inflammation can emerge crops of inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. At this stage, some patients may also develop rhinophyma, a bulbous enlargement of the nose.

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General Discussion

After months, years, or decades of uncontrolled flushing and inflammation, permanent changes take place in the facial skin and blood vessels. Major changes include: Widespread damage to facial blood vessels, extreme hyper-reactivity of the remaining blood vessels, significant leakage from damaged blood vessel walls, and adverse changes to facial skin structure.

In severe rosacea, the uncontrolled flushing leads to structural damage,

which contributes to the inflammation, which in turn further stimulates the flushing.

This is a vicious cycle that is difficult to break because permanent damage has now been done,

new vessels have grown, and inflammatory shunt vessels have formed.

• Common medical terms used to describe rosacea translated into every day English
• Helpful list of topics, questions and symptoms to discuss with your doctor about your rosacea. Why Keeping A Checklist Matters With Rosacea Treatment and Management to get the most out of your appointment.