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Rosacea Decision Aid

  • 1. Introduction

    Learn more about rosacea.

  • 2. My Rosacea

    Learn about your rosacea.

  • 3. My Options

    Read about available treatments.

  • 4. My Values

    Express what is important to you.

  • 5. My Trade-offs

    Compare treatments with your values.

  • 6. My Decision

    Your results and next steps.

  • 7. My Resources

    Learn more about rosacea.

Introduction

What is a decision aid?

A patient decision aid is a tool to help patients and healthcare professionals make medical decisions together - considering patient values and preferences combined with medical information and guidance from their health care professional. This should help patients understand their condition, treatment options and to make informed decisions.

This patient decision aid was developed for adults with rosacea. Treatment information here may not apply to children.

  • What is rosacea?+

    Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin which can show up in many ways: facial redness (erythema), pimples (papules/pustules), blood vessel lines (telangiectases), flushing, phyma (skin thickening), and eye and eyelid symptoms.

  • Who gets rosacea?+

    Rosacea affects about 6% of the adult population worldwide.

    It is most common in people aged 30-50 years and affects both genders. While most often diagnosed in those with lighter skin, it can also affect those with darker skin. It is more common in those with a family history of rosacea.

  • What causes rosacea?+

    The cause of rosacea is unknown but is likely due to skin inflammation and blood vessel changes in response to external triggers and a genetic tendency.

  • How can rosacea impact me?+

    People with rosacea can experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression, and lower quality of life. Risk to mental health tends to be higher in females and with greater rosacea severity. Feelings of being unfairly judged by others can be common.

  • What can I do?+
    • General skincare (skin moisturizers, skin cleansers, cover-up cosmetics), sunscreen use (at least SPF 30 daily), eyelid hygiene (e.g. warm compresses, lid massage, Q-tip cleaning with baby shampoo)
    • Avoid known triggers by keeping a trigger diary
      • Common triggers include high temperature, sun exposure (UV light), hot beverages (coffee), spicy food, alcohol, intense exercise, irritation from skin creams, strong emotions (anger, embarrassment), certain medicines, skin damage, hot flashes in menopause
    • See a health care professional and learn about treatment options (see next pages)