Q. What causes rosacea?

Rosacea affects the one part of the body that can't be hidden — the face — and tends to strike people at a time in life when they may be increasingly self-conscious about changes in their appearance. So it's no wonder it can affect how people feel and even have an impact on their quality of life, both professionally and personally.

In fact, in a recent survey of 400 rosacea sufferers by the National Rosacea Society:

75% reported low self-esteem
70% felt embarrassed
69% felt frustrated
56% felt robbed of happiness and pleasure

If a friend or a family member has rosacea, they need to understand one thing. While it is usually a chronic disorder of flare-ups and remissions, some cases of rosacea become increasingly severe without long-term therapy. With proper treatment — and the avoidance of those lifestyle triggers — it is possible to turn the situation around and live life without compromising due to rosacea.

They should also be aware that emotional health generally returns when rosacea symptoms are successfully addressed. Seventy percent of rosacea sufferers responding to a National Rosacea Society survey said their emotional well-being improved when their rosacea was effectively treated and most also reported improvement in their professional interactions and social lives.

Here are 3 tips you can share with a friend or family member to make their lives a little easier:

If they find themselves the object of stares or comments during a flare-up, they might try turning this awkward situation into a positive educational opportunity by discussing their rosacea and educating the offender. Many people are unaware of rosacea, and their reactions are often caused simply by curiosity and ignorance of the disease.

They might take the initiative to explain the condition to people they see regularly, especially co-workers and their employer, who may have concerns about whether the condition will affect the sufferer's job performance. And they can put to rest the common misconceptions that rosacea's symptoms are caused by poor hygiene or excessive drinking, or that the disorder is contagious.

Invite a friend or family member to visit this website for information on treating rosacea and a variety of items to discuss with a dermatologist.

By using these approaches, the rosacea sufferer you know may be able to turn potentially negative situations into constructive opportunities to create understanding and acceptance.

Want to do more for your friend or family member who has rosacea?
Click here to send an e-mail to a friend or family member that will connect them to useful information online about living with rosacea.