The key to controlling rosacea is a holistic approach that addresses not only the signs and symptoms of the disease but also the personal and environmental factors that can exacerbate the condition, according to leading dermatologists. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on this chronic facial skin disorder estimated to affect more than 16 million Americans, and to urge those who suspect they may have it to see a dermatologist for diagnosis, treatment and guidance on gentle skin care.

A recent NRS survey about the emotional and mental effects rosacea patients experience reveals that the chronic disorder’s impact extends well beyond its physical signs and symptoms.

Of the 703 patients who responded, 91% said rosacea affected their mental health, with 20% reporting the disease affected their mental well-being all the time, and a further 28% saying it had a frequent effect.

The NRS is currently accepting applications for funding from its research grants program, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Supported exclusively by individual donations from rosacea sufferers, the NRS research grants program has awarded more than $1.7 million to support 78 studies since 2000, with the goal of increasing knowledge and understanding of the potential causes and other key aspects of rosacea that may lead to improvements in its treatment, prevention and potential cure.

The lower incidence of rosacea in the elderly may be a result of an aging-related impaired immune response, according to a new study published in the journal Immunity, Inflammation and Disease.¹

Surveys have shown that emotional stress is one of the leading triggers for many rosacea patients. Daily life can be filled with tension and urgent pressures, and it’s important to find time to relax and recover. Here are some tips to help manage stress — or avoid it to begin with.

In addition to improving the clinical signs of rosacea, topical ivermectin, an FDA-approved antiparasitic agent for papulopustular rosacea, also may be effective because it alters the bacterial composition of the skin, according to a recent National Rosacea Society-funded study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.¹