Rosacea: Clinical Presentation and Pathophysiology

Acne rosacea is one of the most common diagnoses seen in the clinical dermatologic practice. The classic presentation of rosacea, acneiform papules, and pustules on a background of telangiectasia, is often easily identified by primary care physicians, patients, or their similarly afflicted friends or family members. However, rosacea actually represents a spectrum of disease from chronic skin hypersensitivity and flushing to rhinophyma. Although the pathogenesis of rosacea remains unknown, it is important to understand its various presentations and possible etiologies prior to developing individualized treatment protocols.