Although rosacea is a benign disease, its effects are more than skin deep. Emerging evidence shows that depression and anxiety loom large in people with this disfiguring disease.

Although it is a common dermatologic condition — affecting 22% of the population — the erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular forms of rosacea can make patients especially self-conscious.

Rosacea breeds low self-esteem, which in turn leads to social isolation.