Misdiagnosed Rosacea

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The subject of misdiagnosed rosacea usually comes up when there is a discussion or articles about rosacea. I am curious what the MAC members think about misdiagnosed rosacea and why it occurs? What would be the most obvious reason a misdiagnosis occurs? Is it because the definition of rosacea is sometimes vague? The initial history and physical exam is cursory? Or is there another reason why this occurs? If there are several reasons what might they include?

Here is list of articles and anecdotal reports of misdiagnosing rosacea.

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Here are replies by email:

From: Robert Brodell, MD

Subject: Re: Questions for the RRDi MAC Members

Date: February 12, 2010 2:49:14 AM HST

To: Barrows Brady

Misdiagnosed Rosacea

Why do you think there are reports of misdiagnosed rosacea? The diagnosis is rosacea is easy of a patient has acne papules and pustules in association with a red face. However, some patients have a form of rosacea with mostly redness and telangiectasias. Without the acne component visible, the differential diagnosis includes chronic sun-damaged skin, flushing and blushing, acute lupus, drug induced erythema, and other conditions. In some cases, patients have a combination of several causes for their facial redness. While in most patients the diagnosis of acne rosacea is easy, some patients with facial redness due to other causes may be called rosacea, and some patients with rosacea may be missed even when physicians are smart and mean well.

Robert Brodell, MD

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Reply from Brady Barrows to Dr. Brodell:

Here is the evidence for misdiagnosed rosacea: Click Here

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