Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes facial redness. Sometimes it is referred to as "adult acne." Rosacea appears mainly in adults. Light-skinned people who tend to flush are often affected. Rosacea is rarely a health risk. But the symptoms of this disease can hurt your self-image. If you have rosacea, know that treatment and self-care can help.

What causes Rosacea?

No one knows what causes rosacea. Hereditary, flushing and the presence of microscopically harmless mites or bacteria that normally live on the skin may play a role. Increased blood flow in facial skin may be involved, thus there may be broken blood vessels that you may see. These are called telangiectasia. Some medications may also contribute/cause rosacea. Rosacea has four main types of symptoms that affect the skin. They are described below. Some people with rosacea may also have problems with their eyes. The eyelids may be red and you may feel as if you have sand in your eyes. From day to day, symptoms can come and go. They may worsen or improve. But overtime, symptoms tend to worsen. They can only be managed with proper treatment and self-care.

Symptoms of Rosacea

• Flushing-the central region of the face often flushes. This includes the checks, chin, forehead and nose. This flushing can come and go. Its color can range from pink to red.
• Dilated blood vessels-flushing is always present. But it may worsen or get better. Besides redness (erythema), tiny dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) may form a web like pattern on one or more parts of the face.
• Acne-like lesions-these lesions appear on the face. They are pauples, pustules and nodules. Facial redness and tiny dilated blood vessels tend to persist.
• Enlargement of the nose-with severe rosacea, redness and swelling may enlarge the nose (rhinophyma). This occurs most often in men.

What cause Rosacea to flare-up?

It is often hard to pinpoint the factors that cause rosacea flare-ups. Common triggers include weather extremes, sun exposure, alcoholic or hot beverages, spicy food, physical exertion, stress, illness, some skin products and medications. To prevent flare-ups, keep a list of the things that seem to make rosacea worse, then try to avoid these triggers.

How can medical treatment help?

There is no cure for rosacea. But medical treatment can help you manage the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe one or more topical treatments to apply to the skin daily (e.g. Metrogel, Metrocream, Klaron lotion, Elidel, etc.). You may also be given oral medications (taken by mouth). To relieve eye symptoms, you may use natural tear eye drops (available in most drugstores), and prescribed oral medications. Surgery can be done to correct rhinophyma. Elective cosmetic laser treatment would help to eliminate the broken blood vessels.

Your role in medical treatment

How well your treatment works depends partly on you. Follow your doctor's treatment plan. Rosacea symptoms often get better with medications. But they tend to worsen again if medications are stopped. If your symptoms persist, ask about other treatment options.

Rosacea self-care

Besides sticking with your treatment plan, follow these tips to care for your skin:

• Wash your face once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser (e.g. Cetaphil soap and cleanser, Oil of Olay Soap, Dove Soap, Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar, Basis Soap). Rinse your skin well with warm (not hot) water. Pat (not rub) your skin dry with a cotton towel.
• Don't scrub your skin or use sponges, brushes or other abrasive tools. This irritates your skin.
• If you shave your face, use an electric razor.
• Choose skin care products and cosmetics that are non-irritating, oil-free and fragrance-free.

Getting good results

Learning about rosacea is the first step toward controlling this disease. With proper treatment and self-care, you can manage your symptoms and feel better about your skin.