Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition recognizable by increased reddening of the face and neck accompanied by small pimple formations. According to the Mayo Clinic, rosacea worsens over time without proper treatment and flareups occur in cycles, leaving you with short periods of relief. Diagnosis of rosacea is made through thorough examination by a licensed dermatologist who may look into your medical history as well as genetic predisposition.
Causes
Rosacea is broken down into four different forms. Prerosacea, vascular rosacea, inflammatory rosacea and rhinophyma possess different characteristics that occur as a result of blood vessel dilation beneath your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the exact cause of rosacea is undetermined; however, there are many triggers that promote the condition to flare up. Some of these triggers include consumption of spicy foods, alcohol, temperature fluctuation, stress and different medications that are designed to treat blood disorders.
Treatment
When rosacea flareups occur, treatment becomes a necessary part of your daily life. According to the Manual of Dermatologic Therapeutics, prescription antibiotics such as tetracycline are extremely effective at treating rosacea during flareups. Other methods of treatment include topical medications such as metronidazole to reduce pimple formation and azeliac acid cream application of up to twice daily to the affected areas.
Symptoms
Treatment options are designed to treat many of the physical symptoms that rosacea possesses. Symptoms of rosacea include inflammation, redness, pimple formation, burning and inflamed eyes. In some cases, your nose may swell and redden, taking on a bulbous form, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This is due to the enlargement of oil glands along with blood vessel dilation. Milder forms of rosacea are apparent through frequent blushing or flushing episodes as seen when someone undergoes extreme emotion such as anger or embarrassment.
Skin Care
Skin care practice also goes a long way when treating and preventing rosacea flareups. According to the Mayo Clinic, skin care requires avoiding certain triggers that promote inflammation and pimples. Daily cleansing is important to remove dirt and oil; however, avoid scrubbing your skin excessively as this triggers flareups. Other things to avoid include extreme cold or heat, the sun's UV rays and products containing alcohol. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher will minimize UVA and UVB exposure to your already sensitive skin.
Considerations
Those most at risk for developing rosacea are people who are naturally fair skinned, between the ages of 30 and 60 or have a family history of rosacea according to the Mayo Clinic. Menopause is another contributing factor for your risk of developing rosacea as hormone levels decline drastically. Never discontinue treatment without consulting your doctor as rosacea will worsen without suggested treatment adherence.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Rosacea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rosacea
- "Manual of Dermatologic Therapeutics:" Kenneth A. Arndt and Jeffrey T. S. Hsu; 2007
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