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Rosacea
Rosacea
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition that usually only affects the face and eyes. Characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, rosacea tends to begin after middle age (between the ages of 30 and 60) and is more common in fair-skinned people and women in menopause.
The cause of rosacea is unknown. An estimated more than 14 million people in the U.S. have rosacea.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
Rosacea often begins with easy blushing and flushing of the facial skin. Eventually, redness will persist around the nose area, extending to the rest of the face. Rosacea has a variety of clinical symptoms and is classified into the following four types, based on these different symptoms:
Type |
Symptoms |
|---|---|
Prerosacea |
Frequent episodes of blushing and flushing of the face and neck |
Vascular rosacea |
Swelling of blood vessels under the facial skin, leading to swollen, warm skin (common in women) |
Inflammatory rosacea |
Formation of pimples and enlarged blood vessels on the face |
Rhinophyma |
Enlarged oil glands in the nose and cheeks that cause an enlarged, bulbous red nose (common in men) |
In addition, rosacea often affects the eye and eyelid. Eye symptoms may include:
Redness
Burning
Tearing
Inflamed eyelids
Sensation of a foreign object in the eye
The symptoms of rosacea may resemble other dermatologic conditions, such as acne. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
How is rosacea diagnosed?
Rosacea is usually diagnosed with a complete medical history and physical examination.
Treatment for rosacea
Specific treatment for rosacea will be determined by your doctor based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the rash
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the rash
Your opinion or preference
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms associated with rosacea. Treatment may include:
Diet modifications (for example, avoiding foods that dilate the skin's blood vessels, such as caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol)
Topical and oral antibiotics
Glycolic acid peels
Cortisone cream
Laser therapy
Dermabrasion
Electrosurgery
Management
If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, you can help manage the condition by:
Keeping a record of triggers, such as stress, weather, or certain foods or drinks
Always using a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a sun-protecting factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
Being careful not to use any irritating products on your face
Taking your medications as prescribed
