I have recently been diagnosed with rosacea. I get too scared to go to school because I'm frightened that I will go lobster-red. I go red when I'm hot, cold, excited — you name it. Please help! I'm starting to get depressed because of it!
Anonymous

Anything that affects the skin or our external appearance can make us self-conscious and a bit depressed. Don't despair — it's never as bad as it seems at first! The most important thing to do first is to have a full assessment by your GP and a skin specialist. Rosacea is a skin condition that looks a bit like acne to begin with, having little pimple-like pustules or lesions but it also involves flushing of the face. The flushing occurs especially after exposure to hot drinks, sun, heat, spicy food, alcohol and stress and other emotional states. It can range from mild to severe. It usually affects women in their 30s or 40s and older, so make sure you have the right diagnosis because other types of dermatitis and skin infections can look like rosacea to begin with and are more likely to affect teenagers and younger women. If it is rosacea, then you need to spend time talking with your doctors about what to expect and the various treatments available. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition but can be effectively treated with various creams and sometimes tablets. The flushing can also be managed by avoiding the things that make it worse. This may take time for triggers such as emotional excitement, or stress, but it can be done. Naturally it will take a little while for you to get used to this — but your friends will certainly help you and after a while other kids at school won't even notice. It's also a good idea to talk to a parent, your GP or a counsellor if you are finding it really awkward. You certainly are not alone!