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What is Rosacea?
A skin disorder characterized by varying degrees of facial redness due to enlargement and dilation of blood vessels beneath the skins surface; also known as adult acne. Rosacea appears more often in women than men, but the symptoms are usually more severe in men. It is common in fair skinned people who flush or blush easily, it is also associated with solar elastosis (sun-damaged skin). It is estimated that it affects 13 million people in the US who are between 30 to 50 years of age.
The exact etiology of rosacea is not known and there are many theories of possible factors that contribute to the disorder including abnormal secretions of the meibomian and sebaceous glands that produce ocular dryness and keratitis, Helicobacter pylori bacterium (gastric disease), Demodex folliculorum (mites), genetics (family link).
Symptoms
Common signs of rosacea are redness, pimples, and the appearance of spidery small blood vessels on the face. Often people have only one or two symptoms. Usually chronic inflammation and facial redness affect the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. The first sign is usually a redness that appears to be a blush or sunburn and gradually becomes more noticeable and does not go away. Small red solid or pus filled pimples may be present and small dilated blood vessels occur on the nose and cheeks.
A serious complication of rosacea is Rhinophyma, a swollen, bright red nose caused by oil glands that enlarge and lead to a buildup of excess tissue. About half of the people with rosacea may also have eye complications. There may be redness, burning, tearing and irritation of the eyes. The eyelids can become swollen and infected. It seems that some people experience blurred vision but serious vision impairment is rare.
Stages of Rosacea
1. Prorosacea - Flushing, blushing
2. Vascular Rosacea- Edema persisting erythema, telangiectasia ocular rosacea
3. Inflammatory rosacea - Papules and pustules
4. Late rosacea - Rinophyma
It is said that the ocular signs of rosacea are visible before it appears on the skin in about 20% of patients.
Traditional Medical Skin Care, Treatment and Diagnosis
Rosacea is a treatable but not curable skin disorder that often goes undiagnosed. It is often mistaken for acne or sunburn. Visit a dermatologist early if you notice any persistent redness or blush of facial skin that does not seem to go away. Early diagnosis is essential because rosacea can become progressively worse without treatment.
Although the cause of rosacea is not known doctors do recommend avoiding certain triggers of the disorder including foods, hot beverages, alcohol, stress, anger, strenuous exercise, sun exposure, or extreme temperature changes. These factors can increase blood flow, causing small blood vessels in the face to expand.
Irritating cosmetics and facial skin care products such as alpha-hydroxy (glycolic acid) lotions and scrubs should also be avoided. Use gentle natural skin care products and even then you must pay attention to the ingredients. Hydrocortisone containing creams may also aggravate rosacea.
Since those who suffer from rosacea have sensitive skin and perhaps contact dermatitis you should also avoid skin care products with parabens and other formaldehyde preservatives, benzyl alcohol, lanolin, polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol and there are others that we will update to this list.
Successful treatment and skin care has to be tailored to the individual. Using skin care products with sunscreen and green-tinted makeup is recommended. When topical antibiotics such as metronidazole prove ineffective, oral antibiotics including tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, or doxycycline may be prescribed. Improvement is usually seen in 1 to 2 months. Isotretinoin can cause serious side effects, including birth defects; women who take isotretinoin must use effective birth control. In severe cases of rosacea, laser surgery is used to remove excess tissue from the nose.
Research
Demodex folliculoum is a microscopic mite which lives normally on the skin and hair in 96-98% of people, they eat the fatty oils, hormones and fluids that spurt from the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. They are likely to be at the base of hair follicles or pores where hair grows. High populations of mites can cause a variety of problems. This mite is thought to be a contributing factor in other conditions including hair loss and acne.
Per one researcher when the number of these mites increase on the face it causes the inflammation that is associated with rosacea.
In a large number of rosacea patients demodex mites are infected with the bacterium b. oleronious. The relationship between demodex, b.oleronius and rosacea is still being explored. It is not known if the increase in Demodex causes the skin condition or if the skin condition causes an explosion of Demodex.
Researchers indicate that the bacterium is sensitive to the antibiotics doxycycline, minocyline and tetracycline. It does not respond to topical treatments of metronidazole and erythromycin.
Long-Term Rosacea Skin Care
Since Rosacea is a life long condition, at present there is no cure, skin care is very important. Understanding your skin disorder and what causes it to flare can really help you better manage the condition and improve your quality of life. It's important to continue treatment even when the skin disorder is in remission. If you have a treatment or skin care products that work for you don't try something new, stick with what's working. Use gentle natural cleansers and non-drying type skin care products and manage known triggers.
Seeking medical attention early is clearly very important to determine the exact diagnosis for your skin condition and then embarking upon a plan of care to improve your skin. Untreated rosacea can be devastating.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of rosacea and have not been diagnosed please contact your dermatologist.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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