Rosacea - Classification

Classification

There are four identified rosacea subtypes and patients may have more than one subtype present:

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Permanent redness (erythema) with a tendency to flush and blush easily. It is also common to have small widened blood vessels visible near the surface of the skin (telangiectasias) and possibly intense burning, stinging, and/or itching sensations.. People with this ETR type often have senstive skin. Skin can also become very dry and flaky. In addition to the face, symptoms can also appear on the ears neck, chest, upper back, and scalp.
Papulopustular rosacea: Some permanent redness with red bumps (papules) with some pus filled (pustules) (can last 1–4 days or longer; extremely varied syptoms); this subtype can be easily confused with acne.
Phymatous rosacea: This subtype is most commonly associated with rhinophyma, an enlargement of the nose. Symptoms include thickening skin, irregular surface nodularities, and enlargement. Phymatous rosacea can also affect the chin (gnathophyma), forehead (metophyma), cheeks, eyelids (blepharophyma), and ears (otophyma). Small blood vessels visible near the surface of the skin (telangiectasias) may be present.
Ocular rosacea: Red (due to telangiectasias), dry, irritated or gritty, eyes and eyelids. Watery eyes. Eyelids often develop cysts. Some other symptoms include foreign body sensations, itching, burning, stinging,and sensitivity to light. Eyes can become more susceptible to infection. About half of the people with subtypes 1-3 also have eye symptoms. Blurry vision and loss of vision can occur.

There are a number of variants of rosacea, including: