Sensitive Skin with Persistent Redness? You Might Have Rosacea.

As a dermatologist, I see patients daily struggling with various skin issues, but rosacea is one of the most common. This irritating condition causes redness and bumps on the face—and can be a real confidence killer. But don't worry; I'm here to help you identify the signs of rosacea and find ways to manage it.

Here are the top three things that might indicate that you have rosacea:

1: You have sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, it may be more prone to rosacea. It causes the skin to become irritated, red, or bumpy after using certain skincare products or experiencing weather changes.

2: You have persistent redness on your face

If you have a flush that just won't quit, it could be a sign of rosacea. Redness on the nose, cheeks, and forehead accompanied by bumps or small blood vessels is a telltale sign.

3: You experience flushing or blushing easily

If you blush frequently and your face turns red quickly—especially after eating spicy food or drinking alcohol—you could have rosacea. Heat, stress, and caffeine consumption are common flushing triggers among people with rosacea.

What can you do if you think you have rosacea?

A visit to a dermatologist is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis of sensitive skin. From there, your doctor can recommend treatments, including medications and lifestyle changes, and specially-formulated skin care products.

Medicines that treat rosacea include topical creams, antibiotics, and oral prescriptions. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding triggers like spicy food and alcohol and protecting the skin from the sun—can all help control your condition.

For people with rosacea, it is essential to use gentle and non-irritating skincare products—including creams and cleansers formulated for sensitive skin. Working with a dermatologist can help determine the best treatment plan for individual needs. I also have an article for fragrance free moisturizer recommendations.

What is neurogenic rosacea?

Neurogenic rosacea is a rare and less understood subtype of rosacea characterized by intense facial flushing, burning, and stinging, often resistant to standard treatments. Unlike other forms, nerve dysfunction plays a key role, causing heightened skin sensitivity and pain.

Symptoms of neurogenic rosacea

This condition primarily affects the central face and is marked by:

• Severe flushing and redness

• Burning or stinging sensations after exposure to heat or other triggers

• Dysesthesia (painful, tingling, or abnormal skin sensations)

• Many individuals also experience neurological or neuropsychiatric symptoms, including, depression and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and essential tremor, causing extreme skin sensitivity

  
  

What causes neurogenic rosacea?

The exact cause remains unclear, but researchers believe it’s linked to nerve dysfunction, immune system imbalances, and blood vessel irregularities.

Unlike other forms of rosacea, which primarily involve skin inflammation, neurogenic rosacea affects the way nerves communicate with the skin, leading to intense burning, stinging, and persistent redness.

In neurogenic rosacea, nerve damage makes the face hypersensitive to heat, touch, and environmental triggers.

Neurogenic rosacea symptoms

Everyday heat exposure, such as cooking in a hot kitchen, can be a major trigger for neurogenic rosacea. When temperatures rise, blood vessels dilate to cool the body down, but in those with neurogenic rosacea, this process can be exaggerated, leading to intense redness, burning, and even nerve pain. Many people report that standing near a hot oven, steaming pots, or boiling water can quickly set off a flare-up, making kitchen heat one of the most frustrating and unavoidable triggers.

How to treat neurogenic rosacea?

Since neurogenic rosacea does not respond well to typical rosacea treatments, managing environmental triggers like heat and inflammation is essential.

1. Controlling Flushing & Blood Vessel Dysfunction

For excessive flushing and visible blood vessels, treatment may include:

• Beta-blockers (atenolol)

• Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine)

• Alpha-adrenergic blockers (doxazosin)

• Laser or light therapy (for severe cases)

2. Reducing Skin Inflammation

If symptoms include papules, pustules, or swelling, doctors may prescribe:

• Topical metronidazole

• Azelaic acid

• Sulfur-based treatments

3. Treating Neuropathic Pain & Burning Sensations

For burning, tingling, or nerve-related pain, your physician might prescribe:

• Antiseizure drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin)

• Pain-modifying antidepressants (duloxetine)

• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline)

How to prevent neurogenic rosacea flare-ups?

Although neurogenic rosacea cannot be completely prevented, these steps may reduce symptom severity:

• Avoid skincare irritants (menthol, alcohol, camphor, fruit acids)

• Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser with pH not over 5.5

• Wash your face with lukewarm or cool water

• Wear sunscreen daily to protect against UV exposure

• Use a soothing moisturizer containing calming ingredients like panthenol, aloe vera, centella, if your skin feels dry or irritated

To further reduce flare-ups, avoiding known rosacea triggers, such as hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, extreme temperatures, and stress, may help.

How to prevent rosacea flare-ups while cooking?

A survey by the National Rosacea Society found that 80% of rosacea sufferers experience flare-ups while preparing meals. The heat from ovens, stoves, and boiling water can trigger redness, flushing, and irritation.

There are a few simple ways to stay cool in the kitchen and prevent rosacea symptoms:

• Use air conditioning or a fan while cooking

• Drink cold water

• Take short breaks outside the kitchen to cool down

• Keep splashing cold water on your face every hour or so

• Wear lightweight, breathable clothing

• Use an induction cook top instead of flame cooking. Avoid standing over steaming pots and ovens

• Try using slow cookers, pressure cookers, or preparing meals in advance to limit heat exposure.

Best sunscreen for rosacea-prone skin

• EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 – Contains zinc oxide + niacinamide to soothe redness.

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair SPF 30 – Ultra-gentle, oil-free, and hydrating.

• Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – 100% zinc oxide-based, no fragrance or parabens.

• Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection SPF 50 – Lightweight, tinted, and calming for sensitive skin.

• EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 – A green-tinted sunscreen that neutralizes redness while providing strong UV protection.

Don't let rosacea ruin your day. Recognizing the symptoms of skin conditions and seeking treatment from a qualified dermatologist is the best way to take control of your skin's health.

Since malar rash and rosacea are often confused, you can read my article on malar rash vs. rosacea to find out the differences between the two.