Reddened facial skin can occur for many reasons, most of them innocuous. Your cheeks may be flushed after exercise, coming in from the cold, or drinking alcoholic beverages. However, if you notice persistent redness, especially accompanied by burning or itching, you may be affected by rosacea. Rosacea is a common skin condition. It isn't dangerous, but many people find it uncomfortable or embarrassing. If you think you have rosacea, here are five things you should do.

1. Visit your dermatologist.

Your dermatologist can examine your skin and determine if you have rosacea. A diagnosis will help you, since you will be able to treat your condition once you know what it is. Your dermatologist will make their diagnosis based on your self-reported symptoms and the appearance of your skin. In some cases, they may want to test you for eczema and other common skin ailments in order to rule these things out.

2. Wear sunscreen.

There's no cure for rosacea, but you can manage the symptoms by avoiding common triggers. Sun exposure can exacerbate your rosacea, so it's important to protect your skin from sun damage. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen daily. If you don't like the feel of sunscreen on your face, look for well-formulated brands that don't contain oil. Remember to reapply sunscreen if you're out in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time.

3. Use gentle skincare products.

Even people with rosacea need to cleanse their face regularly. However, you should avoid harsh products that strip your skin of its natural oils, since these cleansers can irritate your skin and make the redness worse. Use the gentlest products you can find. Instead of foaming cleansers, look for cleansing milks made from more soothing formulas. Your dermatologist can give you a list of products that work well for people with rosacea.

4. Consider medication.

If your rosacea doesn't respond to home remedies, your dermatologist can prescribe medication to help you treat it. Sometimes rosacea can cause acne, in which case antibiotics can help by killing the bacteria that encourages pimples to form. Antibiotics are powerful drugs, so you can only use them for a short period of time. After your course of antibiotics ends, your dermatologist will help you maintain your clear skin using gentler topical products.

5. Apply concealer.

During rosacea flare ups, your face may become very red. If you're embarrassed by your appearance during this time, makeup can help you feel more confident. You can use concealer to even out your skin tone, but try to find hypoallergenic formulas that won't irritate your skin further.

For more information, reach out to a dermatologist in your area.

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