A common chronic inflammation of the facial skin in middle and late life with redness, obvious dilatation of venules and crops of ACNE-like papules and pustules affect mainly the central forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. A keratoconjunctivitis (combined inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the EYE) may be associated. Subjects flush easily, especially after alcohol or hot drinks. Eventually the affected areas may become thickened and oedematous, and in men, proliferation of fibrous and sebaceous tissue may lead to gross thickening and enlargement of the nose (RHINOPHYMA).
Long-term, low-dose, oral tetracycline (see ANTIBIOTICS; TETRACYCLINES) is the treatment of choice. In mild cases, METRONIDAZOLE gel can be helpful. Potent topical CORTICOSTEROIDS are contraindicated and make rosacea worse.