Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by facial redness, swelling, sores, and even pimples. It is sometimes called Rosacea acne due to its appearance. The condition sometimes affects the eyes causing red eyes and itchiness. Rosacea often looks more serious than it really is. The condition makes one self-conscious and embarrassed, but it is otherwise largely harmless. Unlike with acne and other skin conditions, topical steroids can actually make the condition worse.
How Common is Rosacea?
Rosacea is more prevalent in people from Europe, especially the North Western regions. It is more common among fair skinned Caucasians but it has also been known to affect people from other ethnicities. Women are more likely to get the condition than men although men seem to get more severe symptoms. The average age that the condition is common is between the ages of 30 and 60.
Classification
Rosacea can be classified into four main types. In some cases, patients exhibit symptoms for more than one type. The four types are:
- Papulopustular rosacea. This is the type that is commonly confused with acne. The skin turns red and has red pimples, some of which are filled with pus. This condition normally lasts between one and four days.
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. With this condition the patient exhibits permanent redness, as well as the appearance of small blood vessels near the skin surface. Itching and a burning sensation are also experienced.
- Ocular rosacea. This condition affects the patient’s eyes. The patients eyes become red and dry, the eyes and eyelids are irritated and experience a burning sensation. The patient feels like the eyes have foreign particles, which cause itchiness.
- Phymatous rosacea. This type of rosacea affects the nose. It causes the nose to get enlarged , with a thick and rough or irregular surface. It can also affect the chin, the forehead, ears, cheeks and eyelids. Small blood vessels appear near the skin surface.
Causes
It is not known what the causes of rosacea are but there are known triggers for its development. Some on the triggers include extreme temperatures, exposure to sunlight which causes sunburn, heavy exercise, emotional stress and cold winds. Moving from one extreme temperature to another can trigger rosacea symptoms in some people.
Some foods and drinks are also known to trigger symptoms of the condition. Alcohol and drinks with a lot of caffeine as well as spicy foods and foods high in histamines like cheese, yoghurt and bacon, all act as triggers for rosacea.
Some types of medications can trigger rosacea. Some topical acne treatments and anti-wrinkle creams have been known to cause the condition. Chemical peals and microderm abrasion can also aggravate the condition. Steroids such as benzoyl peroxide, and isotretinoin also triggers rosacea.
Symptoms
Rosacea first appears as redness on parts of the face like the forehead, nose and cheeks. It can also appear on other parts of the body including the neck, chest and scalp. Other symptoms include;
- Red blotches on the face
- Dilation of the facial blood vessels
- Red bumps which sometimes contain pus
- Red, itchy eyes
- Stinging or burning sensation on the face
- A large red nose (rhinophyma)
Treatments
There is no known cure for rosacea. Dermatologists treat the symptoms and even this depends on the stage and the sub-type. Mild cases are left untreated because using topical creams can actually aggravate the problem. The doctors try to reduce the symptoms of rosacea by reducing the amount of erythema. The best that the treatment does is to alleviate the symptoms for a few weeks. They help the patients by helping to reduce the inflammation and the intensity of the symptoms.
Rosacea has two main modes of treatment; the oral and topical antibiotics. The medication is often a temporary solution and the symptoms soon come back after the treatment is halted. Long term treatment has had varying degrees of success in some cases. Some patients can get the condition under control after years of treatment.
A number of alternative therapies have been advanced as ways to treat the condition but there is no evidence that these actually work. Some of the therapies suggested include Vitamin K, emu oil, oregano oil and colloidal silver.
Recently laser treatments have been used to treat rosacea with high levels of success. The vascular laser treatment reduces the skin redness. The light used in the laser penetrates the skin layer targeting the capillaries. This form of treatment requires periodic sessions which can be quite expensive and no one knows what the long term effects might be. CO2 lasers are used to remove excess skin tissue which helps to improve the appearance of the skin.
Prevention
The best way to prevent rosacea is by avoiding the triggers. This however is only effective for mild cases. Avoiding foods and drinks that act as triggers can help to reduce symptoms. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle should be adopted in the diet as well as by avoiding stress and learning about rosacea. It is important to practice proper hygiene by frequent washing of the eyelids , and applying a warm wet cloth , for those who develop eyelid inflammation.
Sunlight is one of the biggest triggers of the condition. Avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing can go a long way in preventing symptoms. Some people react to some cosmetics and skin products and it is important to find out and avoid these products.
Psychological effects
Rosacea causes people to be self-conscious and embarrassed about their appearance. Many people have gone through psychological trauma because of the condition. It can cause permanent changes especially when it affects the nose. While surgery and laser treatment can be used to improve the appearance, in most cases, people go their whole lives with the effects. Mild cases of red face can often be covered up with makeup but for the more severe cases, all the patient can do is to try and live with it. The best way to deal with the condition is to try and avoid anything that will make it worse.
