A qualified healthcare professional diagnoses rosacea based on clinical observations and patient reporting of signs and symptoms. The global ROSacea COnsensus (ROSCO) panel and the National Rosacea Society have recently updated the classification and diagnosis of rosacea:[1][2]
Having one of the following features is considered diagnostic of rosacea:
- Persistent redness affecting the center of the face with periodic intensification
- Phymatous changes (thickening of the skin with irregular nodules and enlarged pores).
In the absence of one of the above features, having at least two of the following features is considered diagnostic:
- Inflammatory papules/pustules
- Telangiectasia (small visible blood vessels)
- Flushing
- Ocular manifestations (symptoms affecting the eyes/eyelids)