... you don't have rosacea? Since the symptoms are virtually identical, how do you guys know to distinguish the two?

Basically I'm having this problem. My cheeks are permanently red but I have no visible blood vessels and no papules or postules that are commonly associated with rosacea. One derm said I have keratosis pilaris and also said I have very mild rosacea. Then just last week I went to a seemingly knowledgeable doctor and she said It doesn't really look like rosacea. She just said my skin was very dry and sensitive, to which she also attribued the burning and nerve pain that I have (and hate). She never mentioned KP though

I'm not sure why I have this, since non of my parents or my grandparents did (at least I'm told). My brother also doesn't suffer from it

So, can any of you help me with this little puzzle? What made you sure you have KP and not rosacea? I know a forum is not the best place for such a diagnosis, but I think that the Derm's I went to only confused me more

I appreciate any advice, thanks

Hi - do you have KP bumps on the top of your arms. When did the skin on your face become more red or has it always been like that? From my experience people with KPRF usually have KP bumps on the top of their arms also and usually find the facial redness appears or gets aggravated in their teen years.

I have been misdiagnosed with rosacea too but I can remember reading roscaea affects top of the cheeks and nose whereas KPRF is just a cheek thing. You could try and find some photos of Rosacea on the net and also of KPRF and see which looks most like you.

Dermatologists aren't infallible so sometimes you have to do a bit of your own research also. I saw 6 different derms in 5 different cities over a period of 21 years because I finally found out what was wrong with my skin. Don't give up asking questions until you are fully satisfied that your diagnosis is correct. Once you have a correct diagnosis you are then in a better position to seek the appropriate remedy for it. Wishing you all the best.

Hi, and thanks for taking the time to anwer

I am 18 years old and the redness became bothersome about a year ago. I think I've always had slightly redish cheeks but only so slightly that I barely ever even noticed noticed them. Looking at pictures of me when I was younger I can barely make it out, and it never bothered me ever. The burning and the redness came very sudden. Basically it developed in a about a weeks time

Yes, I do have KP on my arms and shoulders (more notably on my shoulders), but no where else. Lately however its gotten better on my body, but worse on my face. The redness is only on my cheeks and nowhere else for now

From the photos it looks more like KP, but I can't be sure because the symptoms of KP are almost exactly identical to those of Rosacea.

The worst part of this is the fact that it came at exactly the wrong time. I'm in college now and it really stinks that I have to go through this since it's effects on social life can be astronomical. But that's life I guess

Hi again - sounds like you may have KPRF (keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faciei) - red KP bumps on your face. I say this because of the age it got worse and also the fact you have KP on your arms.

However I am no expert and would suggest you do a bit of research on the net about KPRF and also Rosacea to see which seems more like you. If the redness is causing pitting on your cheeks and making the skin quite inflamed it good even be KPAF (but not so likely and this is not that common).

It is important that you get a correct diagnosis so you can treat the conditon appropriately. When I was misdiagnosed with rosacea about 10 years ago the derm gave me the normal pills to take for this - when it didn't make any difference he doubled the dose and that night I had a massage grand mal (clonic tonic) epileptic seizure. You need to pin down what exactly is happening with your skin to make it red.

I know from personal experience that redness on cheeks can be undiagnosed and misdiagnosed - I suggest you do a bit of your own research and go back to the dermatologist (or even ask a third one) and get them to explain why they think you have what they say.