Rosacea is a common disease that causes redness in the face. A person with this condition appears as if they are blushing due to the redness spread beyond the nose and cheeks.
Symptoms
Rosacea has many signs and symptoms other than facial redness. Since there are many, the doctors have classified them into 4 types, namely:
- Facial Redness
- Acne
- Enlarged nose
- Eye problems
If a person experiences any one or more of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor.
Causes
The exact cause of this illness is unknown. It is suspected to occur due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
The factors that trigger rosacea include:
- Genes
- Reaction to the bacterium called Bacillus oleronius
- Presence of the intestinal bacteria called H. pylori
- A skin mite called Demodex
- Presence of cathelicidin
- Extreme temperatures
- Hot drinks and spicy food
- Smoke
- Blood pressure medicines
- Cosmetics
- Sunlight or wind
Although anyone can get rosacea, women are more likely to get affected by it. However, when this condition occurs in men, it is more severe than women. The people most likely to get affected are:
- People between the ages of 30 and 50
- People with fair skin
- If any of the family members have the condition
- Smoking
Treatment
While there is no specific treatment to eliminate this condition, dermatologists aim at controlling its signs and symptoms. The doctors rely on the history of the symptoms and physical examination of the skin. As rosacea is similar to some medical conditions like acne, the doctor has to accurately identify the condition.
The common treatment methods are:
- Medications that reduce the redness of the face. Drugs such as Brimonidine which tighten the blood vessels in the skin, reducing the redness.
- Oral antibiotics that help kill bacteria in the skin and reduce the swelling.
- Isotretinoin is a powerful acne drug that helps prevent the condition from worsening.
- Laser therapy is used to eliminate the swollen blood vessels.
- Dermabrasion rubs off the top layer of skin.
- Electrosurgery gets rid of the damaged blood vessels.
A gentle daily facial wash will help reduce swelling and inflammation to a certain extent. Other therapies such as colloidal silver, emu oil, Laurelwood and oregano oil have also proved to be useful.
Prevention
Rosacea cannot be cured. But one can take certain preventive measures to control the condition. By identifying the triggers and carefully avoiding them, one can control it to a large extent. Understand what triggers this condition and take suitable prevention measures. Consult a dermatologist before resorting to any sort of medication.
Some tips for prevention include:
- Take measures to protect the skin from sunlight and extreme weather. For this, use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily. Use a hat, scarf, or a ski mask to protect your skin from sunlight and/or cold.
- Wash the skin with a moisturizing or a non-soap cleanser. Avoid products that contain skin irritants.
- Take care of the eyes if it has redness or irritation. Wash the eyes with baby shampoo or an eyelid cleaner every day.
Living with rosacea can be distressing and embarrassing. It could bring down the confidence level in individuals, especially when society takes a negative approach to it. Work with a dermatologist to prevent the symptoms.
