There are four subtypes that cause other symptoms as well:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes the typical redness, visible blood vessels, and flushing.
• Ocular rosacea can cause red and irritated eyes, swollen eyelids, and symptoms that look like a stye.
• Papulopustular rosacea causes redness, swelling, and is accompanied by breakouts that look like acne.
• Phymatous rosacea causes the skin to thicken and have a bumpy texture.

Rosacea can cause more than redness. There are so many signs and symptoms that rosacea has four subtypes.

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea : Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels

Papulopustular Rosacea : Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts

Phymatous Rosacea : Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture

Ocular Rosacea : Eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and the person may have what looks like a sty

With time, people who have rosacea often see permanent redness in the center of their face.

Causes of Rosacea

Scientists are still trying to find out what causes rosacea. By studying rosacea, scientists have found some important clues:

• Rosacea runs in families. Many people who get rosacea have family members who have rosacea. It is possible that people inherit genes for rosacea.
• The immune system may play a role. Scientists found that most people with acne-like rosacea react to a bacterium (singular for bacteria) called bacillus oleronius. This reaction causes their immune system to overreact. Scientists still do not know whether this can cause rosacea.
• A bug that causes infections in the intestines may play a role. This bug, H pylori, is common in people who have rosacea. Scientists cannot prove that H pylori can cause rosacea. Many people who do not have rosacea have an H pylori infection.
• A mite that lives on everyone's skin, demodex, may play a role. This mite likes to live on the nose and cheeks, and this is where rosacea often appears. Many studies found that people with rosacea have large numbers of this mite on their skin. The problem is some people who do not have rosacea also have large numbers of this mite on their skin.
• A protein that normally protects the skin from infection, cathelicidin, may cause the redness and swelling. How the body processes this protein may determine whether a person gets rosacea.

Who gets Rosacea?

Rosacea is common. According to the U.S. government, more than 14 million people are living with rosacea. Most people who get rosacea are:

• Between 30 and 50 years of age
• Fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes
• From Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry
• Likely to have someone in their family tree with rosacea or severe acne
• Likely to have had lots of acne - or acne cysts and/or nodules

Trigger factors 

Sometimes flare-ups of rosacea can be triggered by...

• Spicy foods
• Cheese
• Hot drinks
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Aerobic exercise like running
• Temperature Extremes
• Emotions
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications
• Some cosmetic Products, skin or hair care products