Rosacea, a chronic and often embarrassing disorder of the facial skin that affects an estimated 14 million Americans, may be linked to genetics, according to a new survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) and published in Rosacea Review.
The NRS survey of 600 rosacea patients found that nearly 52 percent of the respondents had a relative who also suffered from the condition and that people of some nationalities are more likely than others to develop the disorder.
The Spring 2008 Rosacea Review is now online at rosacea.org. This issue highlights the National Rosacea Society's efforts to increase visibility of the condition during Rosacea Awareness Month, including evidence of rosacea's impact and prevalence and news of a college student's project that raised both public awareness and funds for the NRS research grants program.
The skin of individuals with rosacea has a greater sensitivity to heat, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Patients with rosacea "often complain of increased skin sensitivity and frequently describe a burning sensation," said Dr. Daniela Guzman-Sanchez and colleagues of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. They noted that although this heightened sensitivity is well recognized in practice, there had been no formal research on the phenomenon.
A new question-and-answer section called Ask the Doctors is now featured on Rosacea.org. Leading dermatologists, ophthalmologists, researchers and other experts will answer a wide variety of readers' questions about rosacea, from potential causes to skin care and lifestyle factors. An interactive form on the home page of the new section makes it easy to submit questions, and new questions will be posted every month. In addition, all entries will be archived, creating another important resource for rosacea patients.
While rosacea has grown increasingly common as the baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages, mounting evidence has shown that this conspicuous red-faced disorder may be more devastating and prevalent than widely believed. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to alert the public to this chronic and often embarrassing condition now estimated to affect well over 14 million Americans.
Results of two recent studies provide new understanding of how and when angiogenesis -- the formation of new blood vessels -- may contribute both to the initial development of rosacea and its persistent presence.
In a study of skin samples with and without rosacea, Dr. Amal Gomaa and colleagues at Boston University found evidence of angiogenesis in both the blood and lymphatic circulatory systems in skin with rosacea lesions. 
Although rosacea rarely appears in children, its potential occurrence should be considered during medical examinations because of the possible severity of ocular (eye) involvement, according to a report in the February 2008 issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Researchers Dr. Mélanie Chamaillard and colleagues at the National Reference Center for Rare Skin Disorders, Bordeaux, France, suggested that an ophthalmologic (eye) examination be carried out for all children with skin signs of rosacea.
The Frequently Asked Questions section of Rosacea.org has been updated and expanded to include new information on rosacea and answers to additional questions. To view the new rosacea FAQs, click here. This section was reviewed and edited by Dr. Mark Dahl, chairman of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, former president of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the National Rosacea Society medical advisory board.
As rosacea becomes more familiar to the public, the "frequently asked questions" about the condition have evolved. So, the National Rosacea Society has updated the FAQ page on rosacea.org with new questions, including:
The Winter 2008 Rosacea Review is now online at rosacea.org.
Although surveys have found rosacea can inflict significant damage to quality of life and emotional well-being as it becomes increasingly severe, medical help is available to control or prevent its potentially devastating effects on facial appearance. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to alert the public to the warning signs of this chronic and conspicuous disorder of the facial skin, now estimated to affect more than 14 million Americans.
Rosacea can be a trying condition under the best of circumstances, but it can be particularly vexing to women during menopause and even their monthly cycle.
Many women report more flushing episodes and increased numbers of bumps and pimples during these times, according to Dr. Wilma Bergfeld, head of the clinical research section of the dermatology department at Cleveland Clinic and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) announced that four new studies have been awarded funding as part of its research grants program to advance scientific knowledge of the potential causes and other key aspects of this chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder that affects an estimated 14 million Americans.
The Fall 2007 Rosacea Review is now online at rosacea.org.
A new booklet for patients, "Managing Rosacea," is now available to National Rosacea Society (NRS) members. The new publication gives tips on what to tell your doctor, describes management options for each subtype and provides guidance on lifestyle and personal care. Members may obtain a free copy -- via postal mail -- by emailing a request to the NRS at email@example.com, or by calling 1-888-NO-BLUSH toll free.
Although they are normal inhabitants of human skin and cannot be seen, microscopic mites known as Demodex folliculorum may actually be something to blush about, as a new study funded by the National Rosacea Society demonstrated for the first time that these invisible organisms may be a cause or exacerbating factor in rosacea.
Special care may be needed for rosacea patients with severe forms of ocular rosacea (eye symptoms), according to Dr. Sandra Cremers, instructor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. As part of a National Rosacea Society (NRS) research grant, she recently developed a scoring system to identify severe cases of this rosacea subtype, which may affect half of all rosacea patients.
The Summer 2007 Rosacea Review is now online at rosacea.org.
The incidence of rosacea may be higher than widely believed, according to a preliminary study presented at the recent rosacea research workshop, sponsored by the National Rosacea Society (NRS) during the annual Society for Investigative Dermatology meeting. In addition, an ongoing Irish study found similar prevalence rates of subtype 2 (papulopustular) rosacea in both indoor and outdoor workers.
The National Rosacea Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of people with rosacea by raising awareness, providing public health information and supporting medical research on this widespread but little-known disorder. The information the Society provides should not be considered medical advice, nor is it intended to replace
consultation with a qualified physician. The Society does not evaluate, endorse or recommend any particular medications, products, equipment or treatments. Rosacea may vary substantially from one patient to another, and treatment must be tailored by a physician for each individual case. For more information, visit About Us.