What is Rosacea? Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Although the cause of rosacea is still unknown, treatment for this skin condition is widely available. This article will discuss everything you need to know about rosacea: its types, causes, triggers, symptoms, treatment, and the appropriate skincare routine.

What Is Rosacea?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, rosacea is a common skin condition that affects more than 14 million people. However, it's not contagious. People who get rosacea are primarily between 30 to 50 years old and have fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Plus, women are more likely to get rosacea than men but less prone to severe rosacea. Its common locations are on the nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin.

What Does Rosacea Look Like?

Rosacea’s symptoms are similar to other skin diseases like psoriasis, acne, eczema, or allergies. So, questions like ’What is rosacea like?’ can be difficult to answer. But to differentiate rosacea from other skin diseases, observe the signs and symptoms.

The first signs of rosacea are often redness on your nose, cheeks, forehead, or chin. But in some cases, the redness can appear on your ears, neck, and chest, as well. Along with reddish or pink facial skin, rosacea is also associated with tiny dilated blood vessels and small red bumps that may contain pus.

What Are The Different Types Of Rosacea And Its Symptoms?

Rosacea is a chronic skin ailment marked by a sunburn-like redness of the skin. The redness comes and goes in the beginning but eventually becomes permanent. Rosacea can be triggered by several factors, including heat, coffee, or stress. There are four varieties of rosacea and many people have symptoms from more than one of them. Each variety is distinguished according to its related symptoms.

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is marked by persistent facial redness and very sensitive skin. It is also known as vascular rosacea because of the swelling of blood vessels. This type of rosacea is common in patients' cheeks. Signs and symptoms include:

• Flushing and redness
• Broken blood vessels become visible
• Stinging or burning sensations
• Dry skin, toughness, and scaling
• Blushes faster than normal

Papulopustular rosacea

Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by pus-filled bumps known as "whiteheads" and red swollen pimples. These usually occur on the cheeks, chin, and forehead and are sometimes mistaken for acne. This type of rosacea is most common in middle-aged women and known to some as inflammatory rosacea. Signs and symptoms of this subtype include:

• Acne-like breakouts
• Oily skin
• Highly sensitive skin
• Stinging or burning sensations
• Visibly broken blood vessels
• Raised patches of skin

Phymatous rosacea

Thickening skin and scars are associated with phymatous rosacea. It makes the skin rough, puffy, and occasionally discolored. This rare but curable condition most commonly affects the nose, resulting in a bulbous nose (rhinophyma), and is more common in men than in women. The signs and symptoms of this subtype are:

• Bumpy texture of the skin
• Skin begins to thicken, especially on the nose
• The skin may also thicken on the chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
• Pores look abnormally large
• Oily skin
• Broken blood vessels are also observable

Ocular rosacea

Ocular rosacea mainly affects the eyes, making them appear bloodshot and watery. It is associated with a feeling of burning or irritation. Adults between 30 and 50 are most affected by ocular rosacea. It appears to occur among individuals whose skin blushes and flushes frequently. Signs and symptoms include:

• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Dilated small blood vessels on the sclera (white part of your eye)
• Swollen eyelids
• Eyelid infections (pink eye, blepharitis, sties, and chalazia)

What Causes Rosacea?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, scientists are still trying to single out the causes of rosacea. However, researchers were able to narrow down some clues.

• Rosacea seems to be a hereditary condition. Most patients with rosacea also have rosacea in their families.
• It is also possible that the immune system is involved. According to researchers, most patients with acne-like rosacea react to Bacillus oleronius, a type of bacteria that lives within the tiny mites normally found in our skin.
• These mites are called Demodex folliculorum. Some researchers have found that people with rosacea have more of this mite than average. Additionally, these mites are mostly found around the nose and cheeks, where rosacea frequently occurs. Nonetheless, some people without rosacea have a lot of these mites on their skin.
• H pylori may play a role in rosacea as it is found in many rosacea patients. H pylori is a bacteria that infects your stomach, usually during childhood. You're more likely to be infected with this bacteria if you live in crowded conditions and places with little to no clean water supply.

Thinking of how to get rid of rosacea? Since we have little knowledge of what causes rosacea, we have better chances of getting rid of it by seeking treatment and avoiding triggers.

What Triggers Rosacea?

Before seeking treatment, try avoiding these rosacea triggers to lessen damage and keep the symptoms at bay. The triggers listed are common among patients. We have broken it down into two categories: dietary and other notable non-dietary factors.

Food

Triggers may vary for each individual and among the types of rosacea, but the list below is composed of typical foods that have triggered rosacea in many patients.

• dairy products
• caffeine
• hot foods and beverages
• spices and seasonings that contain capsaicin (e.g., hot sauce, cayenne, and red pepper)
• alcoholic drinks including wine
• foods containing cinnamaldehyde, such as tomatoes, chocolate, and citrus fruits

Other considerations

As mentioned earlier, food is not the only factor that heightens the symptoms of rosacea. Here are some other things that rosacea patients should avoid:

• extremes of temperature (very hot or very cold)
• excessive sunlight, humidity, and wind
• vigorous exercise
• hot baths and saunas
• stress, anxiety, anger, and embarrassment
• some medications, such as corticosteroids and other drugs used to treat high blood pressure
• acute medical conditions, such as a cold, cough, or fever

What Are The Treatments For Rosacea?

Although there is presently no cure, rosacea can be managed through various methods. If you don't seek treatment, your rosacea symptoms may worsen. The best results come from a mix of meds and lifestyle adjustments. Here are several options for you.

Laser therapy

Enlarged blood vessels can be hidden using laser treatment. This method works best on skin that isn't tanned, dark, or black. Before doing so, discuss the risks and advantages with your doctor. Swelling and bruising, which can last several days, are common side effects of laser treatment for rosacea. During the recuperation time, icing and moderate skincare will be required.

It might take weeks for the full benefit of the therapy to be visible. You may need further treatments for better results. It is also important to note that this procedure is usually considered cosmetic surgery. Thus, it may not be covered by insurance. Also note that laser treatment of dark or black skin may result in long-term or permanent skin discoloration.

Coping and support

Rosacea is a frustrating condition. You may become introverted or self-conscious due to feelings of embarrassment or anxiety about your looks. Other people's reactions may frustrate or irritate you. Consider discussing your feelings with a counselor or with a rosacea support group, whether in person or online. It can help you connect with people dealing with similar experiences.

Keeping skin care simple

Keeping your skin care simple doesn't mean skipping it altogether. Rather, it means eliminating specific ingredients that may affect sensitive skin.

Drying alcohols (denatured alcohol, SD alcohol), SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), and large amounts of exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid are all substances that might irritate the skin of rosacea patients. Even synthetic scents or essential oils can be bad for rosacea, so always make sure to check the labels on the products that you use.

Get yourself checked by a doctor

Consulting a medical professional is still always the best option, especially because rosacea symptoms are similar to other skin diseases. When you set your appointments, be ready with your questions. Ask about possible triggers, treatments, and how these treatments can affect your other health concerns. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to minimize the symptoms.

Medicine For Pain And Symptoms

To slightly reduce redness on the face, brimonidine can help. It is an FDA-approved topical medication for reducing redness caused by rosacea. Once applied, the gel works quickly and the effects are felt for up to 12 hours.

Your doctor may also recommend azelaic acid. Usually in gel or foam form, it clears up bumps, swelling, and redness. It is commonly used to treat the pimples and swelling caused by acne. It works because it kills the bacteria that infect pores and decreases the production of keratin (a substance that can lead to acne).Another drug that helps you deal with redness and swelling is isotretinoin. It has been found in a study that a daily dose of isotretinoin for four months is good for combating rosacea symptoms. It lowered the sebum level, erythema index (measuring eczematous reactions), and erythema scores.

Cleanse your face daily

If you're already taking medication for your rosacea, the appropriate skincare routine can support your efforts. A rosacea-friendly routine can ease your symptoms, improve the results of treatment, enhance the overall health of your skin, and lessen rosacea flare-ups. So, here are some tips for those who are dealing with rosacea.

Cleanse your face daily

Your skin is exposed to dirt and oil everyday. Washing your face with water and rosacea-friendly cleanser in the morning and before you go to bed helps you get rid of dirt and impurities from your skin. Apply it gently with your fingertips in a circular motion and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Then carefully pat your face dry with a cotton towel. Moisturize daily

Even if you’re currently getting treated for rosacea, it is still important to moisturize your skin. Try applying rosacea-friendly moisturizer to improve the results of treatment. According to a study, patients with rosacea who applied moisturizing cream twice a day experienced less skin dryness, peeling, and roughness.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

The sun is a top trigger for rosacea flare-ups. According to a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society, 81% of patients think that sun exposure makes their condition worse. The extent of how much sunlight aggravates rosacea depends on the type of rosacea and how long your sunlight exposure was. It's always best to avoid too much sun exposure, especially between 10 AM to 2 PM, when it’s at its peak. For more protection, use a rosacea-friendly sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15.

Test Products And Makeup

Testing is necessary especially with products you’ve never tried before since your skin is made more sensitive by rosacea. Dab a little bit of the product near, but not on, your rosacea-prone skin to test it. You know not to use it if it irritates your skin within 72 hours or you experience burning, stinging, or other unpleasant feeling on your skin.

Be Gentle

Rosacea can be made worse by anything that irritates the skin. Avoid touching or scrubbing your face. Washcloths, face sponges, and rough exfoliation are also not recommended.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your skin when you have rosacea can be challenging but it is not impossible. Effective rosacea treatment is achievable by avoiding triggers, seeking emotional support, and talking to your doctor.

Figuring out which skincare products to use through trial and error can be frustrating. It can even cost you hard-earned money. For people with rosacea, a better option would be personalized skincare formulated with the right ingredients. Dealing with this skin condition is no joke, which is why having products tailor-made for you may seem heaven-sent.

Proven Skincare allows you to get personalized, clinically effective skincare formulated for you, based on your skin type and condition, your lifestyle, and your environment. Take this quiz to discover exactly what your skin needs and get your own formula, today.

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