*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that mainly affects the face. It's more common in women and people with lighter skin, but symptoms can be worse in men. Treatment can help with symptoms.

Check if you have rosacea

The first signs of rosacea include:

redness (blushing) across your nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, neck and chest that comes and goes, usually lasting for a few minutes each time - your face may also feel warm, hot or painful
a burning or stinging feeling when using water or skincare products

The redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin.

Other symptoms can include:

dry skin
swelling, especially around the eyes
yellow-orange patches on the skin
sore eyelids or crusts around roots of eyelashes - this could be blepharitis
thickened skin, mainly on the nose (usually appears after many years)

Triggers

It's not known what causes rosacea, but some things can make symptoms worse.

Common triggers for rosacea include:

alcohol
spicy foods
hot drinks
sunlight
hot or cold temperatures
aerobic exercise, like running
being stressed

If you're not sure it's rosacea

Rosacea can look a lot like other conditions, such as:

acne
contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and other types of dermatitis
lupus
keratosis pilaris

See a GP if:

you have symptoms of rosacea

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111:

If you have rosacea and:

your eye is painful
your vision is blurred
you're sensitive to light
you have a red eye
your eye feels gritty

These could be signs of keratitis, which can be serious if not treated urgently.

Treatment for rosacea

Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment from a GP can help control the symptoms. It can get worse if it's not treated.

A GP may suggest:

prescriptions for creams and gels you put on your skin
taking antibiotics for 6 to 16 weeks

A GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) if treatments are not working.

Things you can do to help rosacea

Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it's not contagious. But there are things you can try to help with symptoms.

If you know a trigger like alcohol or spicy food makes symptoms worse, try to avoid it as much as possible.

Do

wear a high SPF sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day
try to avoid heat, sunlight or humid conditions if possible
try to cover your face in cold weather
use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin
clean your eyelids at least once a day if you have blepharitis
take steps to manage stress

Don't

do not drink alcohol
do not have hot drinks
do not eat spicy food
do not do too much aerobic exercise, like running

Find out more

The charity Changing Faces can offer advice and support if you're feeling anxious or depressed.

You can:

call the Changing Faces support and information helpline on 0300 012 0275
find out more about the Changing Faces Skin Camouflage Service

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.