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Rosacea. Collage illustrating the red skin rash and pustules of the chronic skin disease known as rosacea or acne rosacea. In the centre is a cross- section of a pustule developing in a hair follicle. The cause of the disorder is unknown but it can be precipitated by overuse of cortico- steroid creams. Rosacea usually begins with temporary flushing, often after drinking alcohol or eating spicy food. Then it may develop into a permanent redness of the skin, often accompanied by pustules resembling acne. Treatment involves a course of the antibiotic drug tetracycline, but does not cure the disorder. Rosacea tends to recur for up to 10 years and then disappears. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/JOHN BAVOSI)