Rosacea is a common, chronic skin disorder that affects more than 15 million North Americans. Often referred to as "adult acne" , rosacea causes facial swelling and redness so it is easy to confuse with other skin conditions such as acne or sunburn.
Those who have rosacea notice a tendency to flush or blush easily. This flushing takes place when increased amounts of blood flow through vessels at a rapid rate and vessel expand to accommodate the flow. As rosacea progresses, the redness becomes more noticeable and persistent. Skin dryness can be another side effect of this disease.
Pimples can occur as rosacea gets worse. However, these pimples are different from acne because blackheads and whiteheads rarely appear. Some will notice red lines which appear when they flush. This is known as telangiectasia - where small blood vessels in the face become enlarged and show through the skin.
In untreated rosacea, nasal bumps can occur. As the number of bumps increases, the nose and cheeks become swollen. This condition known as rhinophyma is more common in men than women. About half the people who have rosacea get it around the eyes and on the eyelids. The eyes can become red and itchy and vision gets blurry. This condition, conjunctivitis, can lead to serious complications - if left untreated.
What causes Rosacea?
Unfortunately, the exact cause of this skin disorder is still unknown. However, researchers today believe that hereditary and environmental factors cause blood vessels to swell and flush. And, there are a number of unproven theories on this subject. Some scientists believe that a mite, demodex folliculorum, that lives in hair follicles could be the cause. This group further believes that these mites clog the skin's pores - leading to the inflammation seen in rosacea. Still others believe that a bacterium that causes intestinal infection, called heliobacter pylori, may be the cause. The immune system has also been considered as playing a role in the development of rosacea.
While many theories are being studied, there is no doubt that serious research is being carried on to hopefully find a cure for this wide spread skin disease.
Who gets Rosacea?
Adults between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to get rosacea. People of any skin type can get rosacea but lighter skinned men and women appear to suffer from this disease more often. Although women are affected more often, men tend to get more severe forms. Although alcohol consumption can make rosacea symptoms worse, it cannot be directly associated with alcoholism - since even those who do not consume alcohol at all, can develop rosacea.
Are there different types of Rosacea?
Yes. There are actually four different types of rosacea, and they are based on specific symptoms.
Prerosacea is the earliest identifiable stage. This stage includes frequent and intermittent episodes of flushing and redness on the face and neck.
Vascular rosacea is most often seen in women, It appears when flushing and redness appears and disappears at the beginning, then becomes a permanent symptom. This form of rosacea causes affected areas to become slightly swollen and warm.
Inflammatory rosacea usually develops in those who have a history of vascular rosacea. The appearance of pink bumps and pimples are classic symptoms of this form of rosacea. And, people having inflammatory rosacea often notice thin, red lines caused by small facial blood vessels that show through the skin.
Rhinophyma is characterized by facial bumps caused by enlarged oil-producing glands and the surrounding connective tissue. Men are much more prone to develop this form of rosacea than women. People who have rhinophyma can develop thick, knobby bumps, particularly around the cheeks and nose.
What triggers Rosacea?
Even though some sun exposure appears to help rosacea sufferers, excessive unprotected time in the sun can make symptoms worse. Other factors that appear to trigger rosacea include excess alcohol, spicy foods and hot food and drinks. Even hot baths or shower can be detrimental. Finally, emotional stress can really make minor symptoms get progressively worse.
When to get help:
Early intervention by a dermatologist provides the key to early diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Although a complete cure is not likely to happen, rosacea can be controlled with certain medications and lifestyle changes. If you wait too long, you may end up with rosacea related scars.
Rosacea can actually mimic other common skin disorders, so you should see you dermatologist at the first signs and symptoms. Good dermatologists are experts in successfully treating many skin diseases, so early consultation might keep rosacea from getting a lot worse.
Treating Rosacea:
As we mentioned earlier, there still is no cure for rosacea. However, rosacea is a medical condition that is best treated by a physician or dermatologist with special expertise in skin disorders. Untreated rosacea will most likely get worse and more difficult to treat - especially if milder conditions progress to telangiectasia and even worse, rhinophyma. While there are many excellent treatments for rosacea including certain antibiotics, chemical peels, isotretoin, vasular lasers, electrosurgery and dermabrasion, a concise explanation of each treatment is beyond the scope of this article.
For excellent, in-depth information on these treatments, we suggest that you visit the RosaceaNet website. Just click on the ROSACEA LINK Button.
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