If your cheeks are constantly red, your skin flushes easily, or you regularly develop small bumps that look like acne, you may have assumed that you simply have sensitive skin.
But there could be another explanation, which is Rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes persistent facial redness, flushing, visible small blood vessels, and acne- like bumps. It can also cause burning, stinging and increased sensitivity, and in some people it can affect the eyes.
For many people, rosacea is much more than a cosmetic concern.
Why do we see so much rosacea in Scotland?
Rosacea can affect anyone, but research has consistently found it to be more common in people with fair skin and those of Celtic and North European heritage.
That makes it particularly relevant to patients across Scotland, where fair, Sensitive skin is common.
At E&G Skin Clinic, we regularly see patients who have spent years trying to manage facial redness with different skincare products, changing moisturisers and avoiding anything they think might irritate their skin- without ever getting to the underlying cause.
Sometimes what looks like “sensitive skin” is actually rosacea that hasn’t been properly recognised or managed.
What does rosacea actually look like?
Rosacea doesn’t look the same in everyone.
You might notice:
. Persistent redness across the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead
. Flushing that becomes more frequent or lasts longer
. Small visible blood vessels
. Red or inflamed bumps and pustules
. Burning, warmth, or stinging
. Skin that suddenly reacts to products it previously tolerated
. Dryness and increased sensitivity
. Eye irritation or gritty, uncomfortable eyes in cases of ocular rosacea
One of the reasons rosacea can be frustrating is that it can come and go. You may have periods when your skin looks relatively calm, followed by a flare that seems to appear out of nowhere,
Common triggers can include sunlight, heat, alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, and sudden temperature changes, although triggers vary considerably from person to person.
Rosacea isn’t something you should simply “ put up with”
Rosacea is a chronic condition, which means there isn’t a one-time treatment that permanently removes it.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to accept constant redness or repeated flare-ups as simply being part of your skin.
Treatment aims to control inflammation, reduce symptoms and help your skin become calmer and more comfortable over time.
Scottish dermatology guidance includes treatments such as azelaic acid, metronidazole and ivermectin for appropriate types of rosacea with other treatments considered depending on the severity and predominant symptoms.
Our expertise: Rosacea treatment
At E&G Skin Clinic in Edinburgh, Rosacea is one of the skin concerns we specialise in.
We do not believe in treating every redness in the same way,
Persistent redness can have several possible causes, and rosacea itself has different presentations. Some people primarily experience flushing and redness. Others have inflammatory bumps and pustules, visible capillaries, or a combination of symptoms.
Our approach begins with understanding your skin, your symptoms, and your triggers before deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan.
Depending on your individual presentation, this may involve a combination of professional skin treatments, targeted skincare, lifestyle advice and where appropriate, medical treatment.
The goal isn’t simply to temporarily cover redness.