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| www.rosacea.org |
Most people don't know what Rosacea is.
Many people even have it without knowing. So what is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin condition that
affects mainly people of north-western European descent, however it
is found on all segments of the population. It usually starts with
sporadic blushing or flushing of the face. Overtime the redness
becomes more persistent and intensifies. Red bumps like pimples and
broken capillaries may develop. In severe cases the eyes can get
irritated and bloodshot and the nose may grow swollen and bulbous
from excess tissue.
Regrettably there is no cure for
Rosacea and its causes are unknown. There are, however a number of
treatments to reduce the symptoms and keep the condition in check.
Early diagnosis is recommended because if left untreated it worsens
over time.
Rosacea develops primarily on people
between the ages of 30 and 60 and affects more women than men.
There are 4 subtypes and most people
develops symptoms of more than one subtype:
Rosacea Subtype 1 - Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
This subtype is characterised by
permanent redness, the skin can become dry and flaky, there is
frequent blushing and there can be a burning sensation. Often
capillaries close to the surface of the skin dilate and become
visible.
Rosacea Subtype 2 - Papulopustular rosacea
Characterised by
permanent redness and transient red bumps, sometimes with pus. It is
often confused with acne.
Rosacea Subtype 3 - Phymatous rosacea
In
this subtype the skin thickens, specially in the area of the nose,
although it also appear in the forehead, chin, cheeks, ears and
eyelids. There can be some nodularities and enlargement due to excess
skin, small broken capillaries can also be visible.
Rosacea Subtype 4 – Ocular Rosacea
The eyes are often
dry, itchy, red and watery. The eyelids are also irritated and
swollen, and often develop cysts. This condition can cause vision
loss due to corneal damage.
What causes Rosacea?
Although the exact
cause of Rosacea is unknown there are many trigger factors that
increase blushing and may play a part in the development of Rosacea:
- exposure to
extreme temperatures or quick changes in temperature
- wind
-
strenuous exercise
- sun exposure
- caffeine
- drinking alcohol
- spicy foods
- some vegetables
and fruits
- dairy products
- hot baths
- some cosmetics
and harsh skin care products
- humidity
- medical
conditions and some medications
- stress and
anxiety
- Demodex mite
How to manage Rosacea
While there is no
cure for the condition a number of treatments can control or reverse
some of the symptoms. It is also important to avoid trigger factors
and use gentle skin care products.
Rosacea is very
individual dependant, so treatments and products have to be tailor to
the individual patient. A treatment that may work very well for one
person may not work for another.
Antibiotics as well
as number of drugs are available to treat the condition. It is
important to consult your doctor or dermatologist to get a diagnosis
and any prescription medicines you may require.
Intense Pulse Light(IPL) as well as lasers have proven effective at treating redness andbroken capillaries and maintaining the disease under control.
For mild eye
irritation or dryness artificial tears, and the daily cleansing of
the eyelashes with a mild shampoo may be recommended.
In the case of
Rosacea Subtype 3, surgery may be required to remove excess skin.
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