Rosaea vs. skin irritation?

Dear Dr. Rokoff,
A couple of months ago I developed red rush on my cheeks - it looks like small red pimples (but not whiteheads or blackheads). Sometimes those pimples are itchy, and when they are itchy - they grow (or sometimes a healthy part of skin became itchy and after that a pimple appears). When I put salicylic ointment on them, they stop itching and shrink in size, sometimes disappear completely.
A week ago I showed this rush to my dermatologist, who said that it's Rosacea "on it's trek" and prescribed Metrogel. However, I forgot to tell my doctor, that all this year I've been using skin care products which I never used before and those products seem to be too harsh for my skin (especially for my cheeks). My questions are:
1. Could these skin care products cause rosacea?
2. Could these skin care products cause rosacea-like irritation (because of aggressive exfoliation), which would disappear when I stop using  those products?
3. Could these products just trigger rosacea?
4. I applied Metrogel only for two days yet, so it's hard to say anything about it's effect (I seem to have slight improvement, but I'm not sure), but if Metrogel will help - does it mean that I definitely do have rosacea? Can it be any other condition? Allergy?
5. If I do have rosacea - will Metrogel prevent any further damage to my skin and blood vessels?

Unfortunately, I cannot consult my doctor for 2 months, because I am going abroad - and you are my only hope :)

I am fair-skinned with dark eyes and hair, 27 years old; I don't "flush and blush" easily (only when exercising); nobody in 3 generations of my family has Rosacea.
Sorry for my English...
Thank you very much!
Natasha
P.S. Your site is great!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Natasha:

Your English is excellent--no apologies are needed.

In general, skin care products do not cause or trigger rosacea.  Metrogel is a mild and innocuous medication.  I see no reason for you not to pursue this treatment.  To keep matters simple, I suggest you not make any changes in your skin care routine, while you evaluate the results of therapy.

If you don't blush and flush, you may not develop any other signs of rosacea (such as "broken" blood vessels) even if you have to treat the eruption from time to time.

I suggest you continue the Metrogel until you return from your trip.

Best.

Dr. R