Rosacea: I'm in my late 40s and had assumed I was well past the age for developing acne. However, I have redness and spots over my cheeks, nose, chin and forehead and, as it's the second time this has occurred, I'm concerned that I might now have a recurrent problem. Is it likely to be acne or is it something else?
Given your age it is more likely that you have developed a condition called rosacea.
This is an acne-like inflammation of the skin of the face, causing red flushing of the facial skin over the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin as you have described. It can be accompanied by raised bumps called papules and pus-filled spots, known as pustules.
It tends to occur between the ages of 30 and 50 and is more common in women although men can suffer from it also.
The face can be very tender and in long-term sufferers the nose can enlarge - although this is more likely to occur in men.
I've been very stressed lately with a new job and have less time to look after myself. Is it a sign that I'm run down?
The actual cause of rosacea remains unknown but we do know that certain factors aggravate the condition.
Stress, excessive sun exposure, hot and spicy foods and excessive alcohol can all exacerbate the problem.
If you have been feeling the pace due to your new job, then you must consciously make time and pay attention to keeping yourself healthy.
Try to slot in some regular exercise, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and avoid alcohol. Do not over-expose the face to sunlight as this will not clear up the condition and may even make it worse.
Avoid oil-based make-up and wear a high-factor sunblock every day.
Will it eventually go away or can I get some treatment for it?
Rosacea is a harmless, but embarrassing condition for the sufferer, which usually clears up spontaneously with time.
However, it responds well to treatment with either oral or topical antibiotics which must be taken for several weeks for them to have an effect.
It may recur, even after treatment, but if you avoid or reduce your exposure to aggravating factors and concentrate on keeping yourself healthy, you should be able to control it.