Jeff is a tennis player who spends hours in the summer sun. His practice schedule is long and stressful, and the hot sun doesn’t help. He has come to notice his face swelling, and a constant flush to his face, red lines are present.  He thought it was sunburn at first, but has since reconsidered. Though suddenly more oily, his skin is very dry.  He has had the occasional pimple, but now he is seeing eruptions of acne on his face and neck, especially on his nose. This acne is a constant cycle of ugly, huge whiteheads.

It sounds like Jeff is in the early stages of rosacea.  Rosacea, pronounced roh-zay-sha, is a common and chronic skin condition, especially amongst athletes. It will affect the flush area of the face, manifesting with dilated blood vessels, red coloration and papular or pustular lesions. The acne is most common on the face, neck and sometimes the trunk. Rosacea is more common among athletes. This is because of the constant sun, or UV ray exposure. It is also because athletes often take hot showers right after their sun exposure.

Rosacea is More Than Acne

This is a skin condition that produces over oily skin and awful acne. This condition begins with mild flushing in the center of the face, nose or central forehead.  The tiny blood vessels in the face, neck and trunk, over dilate and become more visible through the skin. Tiny red lines will occur, followed by pimples that look like teenage acne.

For the most part, this issue affects the fair skinned people more. Although rosacea can affect more women than men, men have more severe symptoms. This condition is not fatal, or detrimental to your health, but it will affect your appearance and your self-esteem. The condition can worsen so badly that sufferers don’t want to go out in public.  If left untreated, this condition can result in a growth and swelling of the nose and central facial features.  It is not clear as to whether rosaea is either hereditary or environmentally induced. Medical researchers speculate that blood vessels expand too easily.

While genetics are thought to be a contributor to rosacea, there are also some things that can trigger the condition. Athletes typically practice and perform under the hot sun for long hours. Ultraviolet light plays a major role in the development of the condition. Athletes are a greater risk of developing issues with the connective dermal tissue and blood vessels.

There are some things to help with your condition, but you must see a doctor for the proper medical treatment. Until then, avoid sun and limit your exposure by staying in the shade, wearing a hat and using sun block. Exercise in a cool environment and do not overheat. Acne treatments will not treat rosacea, and may actually make rosacea worse. Although it has acne in the name, it’s not acne.

Rosacea’s healing process is going to differ from person to person. See your doctor for advice.