Rosacea, also called acne rosacea, is a chronic disorder that mainly affects the skin on your face. This disorder tends to add an element of volatility to the life of a patient. This is because the skin may breakout into bumps and pimples and become inflamed without warning. These symptoms often resemble acne eruptions; they may also ooze or crust. Such symptoms tend to disappear just as mysteriously. As a result, a patient's remission period may only be short-lived. Reasonable observations of the condition reveal that it usually sets in when the patient is around age thirty.
Symptoms of Rosacea
- Redness of the face in discrete areas or covering the entire face
- A tendency to flush or blush easily
- Increased number of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face
- Acne-like skin eruptions (may ooze or crust)
- A burning or stinging sensation of the face
- Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes
- May lead to rhinophyma (red, bumpy and bulbous nose)
Causes of Rosacea
In large part, the causes of the disorder remain unknown. However, some experts believe that the disease is a vascular one because of the flushing, redness and visible blood vessels which often characterize it. Another school of thought submits that flushing in particular may be tied to the nervous system as it is often brought about when patients undergo emotional stress.The activity of microscopic organisms such as the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, and the Demodex folliculorum mite is suspected to influence the condition.
Rosea: Risk Factors
- You may be at risk if you are fair-skinned
- If you blush easily
- If you are a woman
- And if you are between the ages of 30 and 50
In diagnosing rosacea, a doctor would likely proceed with thorough investigations and analyses of your medical history along with a physical examination.
Rosacea Treatment
The fact that there is no known cure for rosacea impacts upon its treatment. In treating the disorder patients are advised to beware of the possible triggers within their environment. In so doing, patients make keep a symptom diary. This helps them to map and avoid patterns which have proved to create flare-ups in the past.
Adopting these suggestions may help.
- Limit spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages
- Avoid sun exposure; use sunscreen every day
- Avoid prolonged exertion in hot weather
- Try to reduce stress; use deep-breathing and relaxation techniques like yoga
Environmental triggers may affect patients on a unique level. Some known triggers of flare-ups are wind, hot baths, cold weather, certain skin products and exercise. Antibiotics may be used to treat rosacea. The drugs tetracycline and minocycline are usually taken orally while the drug metronidazole is externally applied to the affected area.
Sources
- All about rosacea (n.d.) Retreived from Rosacea.org on 5/10/2011.
- Rosacea Learning Centre (n.d.) Retreived from healthtools.aarp.org on 5/10/2011.
- Understanding rosacea (n.d.) Retrieved from rosacea.org on 5/10/2011.
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