Rosacea is the persistent appearance of redness and visible blood vessels under the skin, generally around the centre of the face. Often, the first signs of rosacea will be a person’s tendency to blush or be flushed quite frequently. The defining factor or rosacea however, is that the redness will not fade as it would naturally and the blushing becomes more common over time. In some cases rosacea can cause small, red pus-filled bumps or swelling of the cheeks. Some individuals feel heat beneath the affected area and skin may become tender, itchy or feel as if it is stinging. Rosacea can also cause uncharacteristic dryness for some sufferers, the centre of the face also becoming rough and scaly. Commonly mistaken for acne or an allergic reaction, the symptoms of rosacea can flare up for weeks or months at a time and then dimish for long periods. About half of all rosacea sufferers experience eye ailments as a coinciding side effect. The eyes may become unnecessarily dry, bloodshot, irritated or swollen and the eyelids can redden. Additionally, the skin on the nose can also thicken and appear to become bulbous as a result, this is however quite rare and more prominent in men.