April is Rosacea Awareness Month and the National Rosacea Society encourages physicians and patients to raise awareness of the disease and its impact on affected individuals.

This red-face disorder affects more than 16 million Americans between the ages of 30 and 60. It covers the spectrum of a rosy glow, to angry mask with the emotional pain varying from patient to patient.

Dr. Richard Odom, professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco said, “Even mild symptoms of rosacea can be embarrassing, and even more so if the sufferers are unaware that it's a medical condition and assume the redness, bumps or pimples are ‘their fault.'”

The NRS has recently conducted surveys, which show most rosacea patients have felt negative emotional effects of their condition. 82 percent have said they have a negative view of life. Two-thirds of respondents said medical therapy improved their emotional and social outlook.

“Emotional pain can be as real as physical pain, but reducing the physical signs of rosacea through medical therapy and trigger avoidance can substantially reduce its impact on people's lives,” said Dr. Odom.

To learn more go to: rosacea.org.