Malady that hits all

ROSACEA: SKIN CONDITION AFFECTS BOTH WOMEN, MEN

- Hein Kaiser

It is not a sunburn. It looks like a blushing cheek, but it isn't. When there is a persistent flush on your cheeks that feels like a burning rash, because it's hot on the inside, it could be rosacea.

Many people brush it off as just a nothing, but the condition is real and it's uncomfortable.

Biomedical scientist and skincare specialist Dr Judey Pretorius said: "It is a skin condition mostly seen in adults, and it does not discriminate. Anyone can struggle with it, whether your skin is fair or dark."

It shows up most often on the cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes on the chin. But it is not just about the colour.

It burns, itches and flares up without warning. It is hot from the inside, and it does not sit well with cosmetics or changes in the weather.

"It is the circulation just under the surface of the skin that becomes inflamed. So yes, it looks red, but it also feels sore and uncomfortable," she said.

Lighter skin tones show the condition more.