Rosacea (roe-ZAY-she-uh) is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then go away for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne or other skin problems such as psoriasis.

Rosacea can affect anyone. Statistically however, it's most common in middle-aged women who have light skin. In general, medical science claims that there is no cure for Rosacea but understanding the clues that connect the dots between known triggers may lead to a remission of symptoms. If that "remission" lasts longer than you do, that's a win...if not a "cure".

Known triggers include:

• Hot drinks and spicy foods
• Red wine and other alcoholic beverages
• Temperature extremes
• Sunlight or wind
• Emotions
• Exercise
• Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications
• Various cosmetic products

We have found that there seems to be a common correlation with environmental substances often anchoring this condition. Depending on an individuals' level of sensitivity, environmental toxins such as pesticides, mold toxins and even food allergies or intolerances may play a roll. These environmental insults can send an otherwise healthy system into a tailspin and cause inflammation by activating an abnormal immune response. A proper immune response is critical in situations where inflammation is a key element. Detecting and correcting the underlying conditions triggering the autoimmune inflammation should be a priority in looking for answers regarding conditions like Rosacea.

If you are experiencing one or more of the following, you may be dealing with Rosacea:

• Facial redness. Rosacea usually causes a persistent redness in the central part of your face. Small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks often swell and become visible.
• Swollen, red bumps. Many people with rosacea also develop pimples on their face that resemble acne. These bumps sometimes contain pus. Your skin may feel hot and tender.
• Eye problems. Many people with rosacea also experience dry, irritated, swollen eyes and red, swollen eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. In some people, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms.
• Enlarged nose. Over time, rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear bulbous (rhinophyma). This occurs more often in men than in women.

If you feel like you may be dealing with this situation and are wondering how we might sleuth out the case, feel free to open and read the case file of someone who has already gone through the process.