Rosacea is being misdiagnosed in dark skin tones

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Rosacea is being misdiagnosed in dark skin tones

As April comes to an end, so does Rosacea Awareness Month. And while rosacea has been a relatively simple condition to identify for those of Caucasian descent, the same can’t be said for people with darker skin tones.

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According to Science Direct, rosacea is infrequently reported among non-white populations worldwide. However, the lower rates – which, when reviewed by the Journal of American Dematology still sit at about 40 million cases worldwide – are suspected to be in part due to conditions going undetected or misdiagnosed. 

Here’s a top-line explanation of why rosacea cases are potentially being missed in dark skin tones, and what we need to look out for:

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin disorder most commonly known for its chronic facial redness and inflammation across the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. In more severe cases, rosacea can appear as blood vessels, hardened skin or pustules and papules. 

There are no single known causes of rosacea, however, genetics and environmental factors are believed to influence the development and severity of cases. 

Among these causes are aggravating triggers such as alcohol, in particular red wine, exercise, extreme temperatures, stress and even spicy food. 

Why is it being misdiagnosed in dark skin tones?

As a condition often distinguished on lighter skin tones as a flushed face or rosy cheeks, those with higher pigmentation in the skin make these signs and symptoms far trickier to detect. 

The telltale signs are instead being confused with acne (in which case treatments such as BHAs, retinol and salicylic acids can potentially aggravate the condition) or malar rash, which is seen in patients with lupus. 

Image credit: @blackdermpa

Persistent uncomfortable stinging aside, Instagram account @blackdermpa revealed that patients with untreated rosacea can have it progress  to hyperpigmentation or “unsightly changes to their noses”, otherwise known as rhinophyma. 

How can rosacea be detected in dark skin tones?

According to the Black Skin Directory, a few key indicators of rosacea on dark skin include (but aren’t limited to):

  • A persistent warm and flushed face often with a burning or stinging sensation
  • Discolouration
  • Swollen dry patches and acne breakouts that don’t clear up once treated

How can rosacea be treated?

As it stands, there is no cure for rosacea. 

Effective techniques for long-term management, however, include using sensitive-skin friendly products that are formulated with strengthening ingredients such as ceramides and calming ones like aloe vera and green tea. 

bh recommends: Ultraderm Skin Karma MoisturiserDermalogica UltraCalming Super Sensitive Shield SPF30Ultraceuticals Ultra Red-Action MoisturiserCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 15La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Anti-Redness Serum

But the best method is to avoid flare-ups as much as possible, by steering clear of the obvious lifestyle triggers (alcohol, spicy food etc), and overly harsh exfoliants, plus a diligent daily application of SPF. 

In terms of treatment, Black Skin Directory recommends laser therapy as a beneficial and safe treatment for darker skin tones, as they work to resurface and support thickened skin. 

Do you suffer with rosacea? What are your best tips for preventing flare ups?

Main image credit: @fridacashflow

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Comments 46

  1. That is absolutely terrible that those people with darker skin tones aren’t diagnosed properly for Rosacea the medical profession need to change so those people with Rosacea can be treated much earlier.
    Also not mentioned is Avène Skincare Products also have products to help people with Rosacea.

  2. I don’t have it, I think I would find it really difficult to deal with, so many things to avoid as well. A night at the pub followed by KFC is not a good idea by the sounds of it.

  3. I think acne looks a lot different to rosacea and feel different too. It probably has a bit to do with how people explain how it feels. Its good to do your own research before talking to a health professional so that you are informed and better able to advocate for yourself.

  4. I battle with Rosacea which has been medically diagnoised. I do notice that many people who have a little redness from time to time fue to sensitive skin will tell people they have rosacea when in fact they dont at all.
    I find that my skin is best when im calm. If I do anything physical then my face goes bright red. If its windy, too much sun, too hot, too cold.
    I have sorted out products that make my skin happy. I tend to go towards products for sensitive skin but even so some of them are not suited to my skin and some products that are not for sensitive skin are awesome for me. Its all a matter of trial and error.

  5. I am the same, I also look like a beetroot after exercise. When I’m tired I’m also more likely to go red. I don’t know if it actually means you have good circulation to your skin so less likely to get breakouts (I can hope).

  6. I never knew that rosacea affected darker skin tones, but it saddens me as a rosacea sufferer (or at least someone who believes they have the condition) to read that they’re being misdiagnosed or not even diagnosed at all. It’s tough enough trying to steer clear of triggers (something I’m not good at, if I’m being honest), let alone knowing if you have it in the first place.

  7. I have rosacea and didn’t know April was rosacea awareness month. Nor did I know that people with dark skin tones could get rosacea. I have been learning over time what triggers a flare and try to avoid those things. I found the Paula’s Choice website has some really helpful information about rosacea.

  8. I’ve never had rosacea but I can imagine how uncomfortable it must be. I occasionally get a flare up on my cheeks, like I have sun burn, but I’m still trying to work out what causes it.

  9. I have fair skin and have suffered with rosacea from time to time for all my adult life. I try to avoid stimulants but that’s hard at times, especially when socialising

  10. I have redness on the centre of my face from broken capillaries but it doesn’t cause discomfort. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to deal with rosacea.

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  14. Do we really need to see comments from crappy spammers!

    Their rubbish takes away from honest comments from our genuine members.

    I am lucky I don’t suffer rosacea but do have slight variance in my skin tone.