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Rosacea
Rosacea
Rosacea (pronounced: rose-ay-shah) is a disease affecting the
skin of the face -- mostly where people flush. Rosacea usually starts
with redness on the cheeks and can slowly worsen to include one or
more additional symptoms and parts of the face, including the eyes.
Because changes are gradual, it may be hard to recognize rosacea in
its early stages. Unfortunately, many people mistake rosacea for a
sunburn, a complexion change, or acne and do not see a doctor.
Rosacea can't be cured, but it can be controlled.
What Should I Look For?
Many rosacea patients have only one or two symptoms; here is a
complete list of the most common ones:
Redness
This looks like a blush or sunburn and it is caused by flushing (when a larger amount of blood flows through vessels quickly and the vessels expand under the skin to handle the flow). The redness gradually becomes more noticeable and will not go away. Facial skin may get very dry.
Pimples
Later, pimples may appear on the face. These pimples may be inflamed -- small, red and solid (papules) or pus-filled (pustules) like teenage acne. Because they look alike, rosacea has been called "adult acne" or "acne rosacea." But people with rosacea do not normally have the blackhead or whitehead type of pimples (called comedones) that are usually seen in teenage acne.
Red lines
When people with rosacea flush, the small blood vessels of the face get larger -- eventually showing through the skin. These enlarged blood vessels look like thin red lines on the face, usually on the cheeks. These lines may be hidden at first by flushing, blushing or redness, but they usually reappear when the redness is cleared up. Doctors call these lines telangiectasia .
Nasal bumps
When rosacea is not treated, some people -- especially men -- may eventually get small knobbly bumps on the nose. As more bumps appear, the nose looks swollen. This condition is called rhinophyma.
Who Gets Rosacea?
Rosacea is usually seen in adults. It seems to affect
fair-skinned people more often, though it can affect any skin type.
Most people who get rosacea have a history of flushing or blushing
more easily and more often than the average person (they are sometimes
described as having "peaches and cream" complexions). Women get
rosacea a little more often than men, but men are more likely to
develop rhinophyma.
The image of one famous sufferer, W. C. Fields, helped to mistakenly
link rosacea with alcoholism. Although drinking alcohol can make
rosacea worse, even people who never drink alcohol can develop
rosacea.
How Does Rosacea Progress?
In most people, the first sign of rosacea is rosy cheeks; the face gets red in patches and stays red -- eventually redness doesn't go away at all. Rosacea is a chronic condition. In most people symptoms come and go in cycles. These flare-ups are common. Although the condition may improve (go into remission) for a while without treatment, it is often followed by a worsening of symptoms (redness, pimples, red lines or nasal bumps) that progresses over time.
What Causes Rosacea?
There are many theories but none have been proven. Researchers now believe that there is some link between rosacea and how often (and how strongly) people flush or blush.
Can Rosacea Be Cured?
Not yet. But simple treatments can control rosacea, improve the skin's look, and maybe even stop or reverse progress of the disease. Getting medical help early and following the treatment program carefully are the keys.
Can Anything Make Rosacea Worse?
Facial flushing can make symptoms worse. It can even cause flare-ups in patients whose rosacea was under control with medications. Flushing can be triggered by many things ... hard exercise -- even menopause or some medicines. The most common triggers are: hot drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, sunlight, extreme heat or cold. Experts say you should avoid anything that causes flushing. But what bothers one person may not cause a problem in another. You will need to find out what things affect you and decide if you want to change your habits to avoid them. Just remember -- flushing may affect your success in controlling rosacea. Talk to your doctor about how you can learn to identify -- and deal with -- your own flushing triggers.
Can Rosacea Be Treated?
Definitely yes with our Acne Attack Pack and Acne Gold Packs
Treatment can lessen or get rid of symptoms. Most doctors think
that early treatment can keep rosacea from getting worse -- even
prevent blood vessels from enlarging or rhinophyma from developing.
What About Washing or Moisturizing My Face?
How and what you use to cleanse your face -- and keep it moist
-- are important when you have rosacea. Following a regular cleansing
and medication routine will make treatment easier and more successful.
You should be careful about what products you use with rosacea
medications.
Soaps/cleansers -- Only very mild products should be
used on the face. Avoid products that contain alcohol or irritants.
Moisturizers -- Apply a quality moisturizer as
needed. When using with a topical medication, you can usually apply
the moisturizer after the medication has dried.
Sunscreens -- Use an SPF 15 or higher whenever you
think you will be in the sun for a while.
In general, it helps to choose facial products that will not clog
pores; they will have the word "noncomedogenic" on the package. Avoid
products that contain alcohol (check hair spray and astringent
labels), acetone or oil.
Acne Attack and Acne Gold Packs may be purchased from our
secure
Web Shop
Click here for more information on Acne and Acne
Getaway
Source:
National Rosacea
Society
800 South Northwest Highway, Suite 200, Barrington, Illinois 60010
Consult with your physician or dermatologist if your acne is severe. WHEN AND IF YOUR ACNE IS MILD OR MODERATE trial and error is unavoidable until you find the best solution for you. It can be a hormonal or non-hormonal NON-PRESCRIPTION or NATURAL PRODUCT or a COMBINATION OF PRODUCTS depending on your specific condition and genetic nature.
Mila Lopez. Dermatologist. April 2001.
Acne Getaway is a topically applied lotion that comes in a 60 ml bottle and will last between 3 and 5 weeks if applied in accordance with directions.
