Many college students are familiar with acne, but there’s another condition similar to it, but more noticeable. It’s called rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic condition of the skin characterized by redness of the face, diolated blood vessels, bumps and pimples. An estimated 14 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease according to the National Rosacea Society, and the number seems to be growing. Dermatologists are still speculating whether this is because the condition is becoming more common, or because people are becoming more aware of it due to advertisements and news articles.

No specific cause for rosacea has been found yet, but Dr. John Wolf, Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Baylor University in Houston, says many theories have been formulated. Some medical professionals have suggested that the disease is caused by infectious organisms. Others say that blood vessels that dialate quickly and cause leakage of fluid into the skin are to blame. While none of these have been proven, scientist may be closer than ever to finding the cause.

“They’re now saying that there’s a specific protein in the skin causing rosacea, which was published in Nature Medicine magazine within the last few weeks,” says Wolf. “But, it’s so newly suggested that it hasn’t had a chance to be accepted yet.”

While there may be no known cause, there are many elements that make rosacea worse, known as trigger factors. The three most common ones according to the National Rosacea Society are sunlight, heat and stress. Other trigger factors include alcohol, spicy foods and exercise.

“After they come home from the gym and take a shower, some people can still be flushed and red an hour later,” says Dr. Robert Brown, staff physician at Watkins Memorial Health Center.

So how do those affected by rosacea stop the redness? So far, three different treatments have been discovered. There are topical creams, including metronidazole and azelaic acid. Another option is an oral treatment called tetracycline. Laser treatments are also effective for vascular forms of rosacea. Unfortunately, those with rosacea grow tired of the treatments very easily.

“Our motto is, ‘control rather than cure’,” says Wolf. “But it’s challenging to get patients to comply with life–long therapy.”

Different treatments are designed for the four known types of rosacea. Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by redness of skin and acne-like bumps. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea contains symptoms such as flushing of the skins and broken capillaries, resulting in blood vessels that are visible just below the skin’s surface. Ocular rosacea includes redness and irritation of the eyes, and in severe cases can even lead to vision loss. The final form is Phymatous rosacea, which can be characterized by overgrowth of oil glands and tissue in the skin which can make the nose grow to large proportions.

So, if rosacea doesn’t pose much of a health threat, what’s the problem? It seems to be the same as acne.

“Rosacea has a profound psychological impact on lives,” says Wolf. “It can be extremely embarrassing.”

The National Rosacea Society has done studies showing the strain rosacea can put on personal relationships and academic and professional performance.

The condition is most prevalent in ages 30 to 50 according to the NRS, but it can occur earlier.

“I see a fairly large number of college students who have it,” says Brown.

One student with the condition is Brittany Winston, a senior at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.

“I’ve had it since elementary school, but I went to a dermatologist for something else in sixth grade and was finally diagnosed,” says Winston.

While Winston’s case is not severe, she says her face gets small bumps and is irritated easily by very warm or very cold weather. Instead of seeking treatment, she applies a moisturizer every day, which she says helps keep the redness down. Winston also encourages others to seek treatment and says that rosacea is nothing to be ashamed of.