Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can cause redness, swelling, and pimples. The disease affects the face, and it’s often misdiagnosed as acne or rosacea-related dermatitis. It’s not contagious, but it can be treated with topical creams.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can cause redness, bumps and pimples. The best way to treat it is by using the right products and treatments.
Introduction
Rosacea is a common but often misunderstood condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms tend to flare up for a period of weeks to months and then diminish for a while. There is no cure for this, but you can successfully control it.
It usually begins after age 30 as a flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that comes and goes. Over time, the redness becomes more persistent and visible blood vessels appear. Left untreated, it can cause torn tissue, intense burning or itching sensations, red bumps and pustules (pimples), cysts, and in extreme cases, an enlargement of the nose from excess tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment of rosacea is important to prevent progressive damage.
Causes
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and bumps on your face. If you have it, your skin may feel warm and irritated. You may also have embarrassing symptoms like acne, redness, and broken blood vessels.
There is no cure for it, but there are treatments that can help control the symptoms. If you think you might have rosacea, see a board-certified dermatologist or doctor who specializes in treating skin conditions. They can give you a diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for you.
Researchers believe it may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Rosacea often runs in families, so you may be more likely to get it if someone in your family has it. It is also more common in people with fair skin, blue eyes, and a history of sun damage.
Reference: Skincare for healthy & glowing skin.
Symptoms
Rosacea is a chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that causes redness and swelling on your face. It typically begins with occasional episodes of flushing or blushing on your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.
It can occur in anyone, but it’s most common in middle-aged women who have fair skin. In the United States, more than 16 million people have rosacea.
Rosacea can’t be cured, but treatments can help control it. The earlier you seek treatment for rosacea, the better your chance for success.
Treatment
Rosacea is a common and chronic disorder of the facial skin that is characterized by periods of flushing, redness, pimples, and sometimes thickened skin. It affects all ages and has been especially gaining in prevalence recently. It is important to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment of it, as it can be easily confused with other skin disorders such as acne or eczema.
There are many possible treatments, and no one treatment works for everyone. The most important thing you can do is to avoid triggers that make your rosacea worse. Some common triggers include sun exposure, hot weather, wind, stress, hot baths or showers, alcohol, spicy foods, and exercise.
Your dermatologist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Topical medications:
These include creams, gels, lotions, or ointments that are applied to the skin. They may contain ingredients such as metronidazole, erythromycin, sulfur, or azelaic acid.
Oral medications:
These include oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline (sold under many brand names), minocycline (sold under many brand names), erythromycin (sold under many brand names), or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (sold under many brand names). Your dermatologist will determine the best antibiotic for you based on your individual medical history.
These drugs help reduce inflammation (redness) by fighting bacteria in the body that may contribute to the development of signs and symptoms.
Laser and other light therapies:
These treatments use intense pulses of light to destroy the overactive blood vessels that cause redness in rosacea. Lasers that have been found to be effective in treating rosacea include pulsed dye lasers (such as the Vbeam Perfecta) and intense pulsed light systems (such as the Palomar Icon). These treatments typically require 4-6 sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart and are often combined with topical medications such as metronidazole cream or Finacea gel.
Prevention
You may be able to prevent further flare-ups of rosacea by following these skincare and lifestyle tips:
– Use a sunscreen every day. Be sure to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
– Protect your skin from the sun. Wear a hat when outdoors and try to stay in the shade whenever possible.
– Be gentle with your skin. Avoid scrubbing, rubbing or touching your face too much. And don’t use products that irritate your skin, such as those with alcohol, menthol, lemon juice or other ingredients that sting or burn.
– Take care when shaving. Use a sharp razor, shave in the direction your hair grows and don’t shave too closely to your skin. After shaving, apply a moisturizer to soothe your skin. If shaving irritates your skin, try using an electric razor instead.
– Manage stress. Stress doesn’t cause rosacea, but it can worsen symptoms. Try stress-management techniques such as exercise, yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises to help control stress.
– Don’t layer up. If you have rosacea, you may be tempted to cover up your skin with makeup. However, it is important to avoid using heavy makeup or irritating cosmetics, as this can make rosacea worse. Choose non-irritating cosmetics labeled “for sensitive skin” or “non-comedogenic.”
It is also important to avoid triggers that can make it worse. Triggers can vary from person to person, but common triggers include sun exposure, hot weather, wind, stress, alcohol and spicy foods. If you are not sure what your triggers are, keep a diary of your symptoms to help you identify them.
Complications
While rosacea is generally a benign condition, it can be accompanied by serious and persistent symptoms. In rare cases, it can also lead to potentially life-threatening complications.
If you have rosacea, you may be at risk for developing one or more of the following complications:
-Eye problems. If left untreated, it can cause serious eye problems, including redness, swelling and irritation in the eyes. Ocular rosacea can also lead to keratitis and inflammation of the cornea that can cause blurry vision and even blindness.
-Skin infections. It can cause skin thickening and swelling (phymatous changes) that can lead to skin infections.
-Psychological problems. The embarrassment and self-consciousness caused by rosacea can lead to anxiety, depression and even social phobia in some people.
The best way to manage rosacea is to see a dermatologist or other healthcare provider who specializes in the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment often can control rosacea and prevent it from getting worse.
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