Rosacea

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic disease that affects the skin and sometimes the eyes. Characteristics of the condition include redness, pimples, and, in advanced stages, thickened skin. Although rosacea usually affects the face, it can affect parts of the upper body. Despite how common the condition is, many people with rosacea go undiagnosed.

 

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have rosacea, and it is more common in women (particularly during menopause) than in men. Rosacea tends to occur more frequently in people with fair skin; however, it can occur in people of any skin color.

 

Common Symptoms

Rosacea has many symptoms, which include:

 

• Frequent redness or flushing of the face. The face may also have a burning sensation and slight swelling.

• Small red lines under the skin, which appear when the blood vessels under the skin get larger. This area of the skin may be somewhat swollen, warm, and red.

• Constant redness, along with bumps on the skin. Sometimes the bumps have pus inside (pimples), but not always. Solid bumps on the skin may later become painful.

• Inflamed eyes and eyelids.

• A swollen nose. In some people (mostly men), the nose becomes red, larger, and bumpy.

• Thicker skin.

 

 

Eye Problems Associated With Rosacea

Up to 50 percent of people who have rosacea experience eye problems, which include:

 

• Redness
• Dryness
• Itching
• Burning
• Excess tears
• The feeling of having sand in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision or some other kind of vision problem
• Eyelids that become inflamed and swollen.

 

 

What Causes It?

Although doctors do not know the exact cause of rosacea, there are plenty of theories. Some doctors believe that rosacea occurs when blood vessels expand too easily, which causes flushing. Other doctors believe that the condition is inherited.

 

Although the following is not proven, some people believe that one or more of the following triggers can cause rosacea:

 

• Heat (including hot baths)
• Heavy exercise
• Sunlight
• Winds
• Very cold temperatures
• Hot or spicy foods and drinks
• Drinking alcohol
• Menopause
• Emotional stress
• Long-term use of steroids on the face.

 

 

Making a Diagnosis

In order to diagnose rosacea, dermatologists need to examine a patient's symptoms, because there are not tests that diagnose this disease. However, there are very few people who have all of the symptoms of this disorder, which can make rosacea hard to diagnose. If a patient has family members with rosacea, then doctors will usually make a rosacea diagnosis, even if there are only a few apparent symptoms.

 

 

Treatment for Rosacea

There is no cure for rosacea, but the symptoms can be treated and controlled (see Rosacea Treatment). Treatment options include ways of managing skin as well as eye symptoms.

 

There are two types of antibiotics that may be prescribed for rosacea: antibiotics used directly on the skin (topical) and antibiotics taken by mouth (oral). Although the bumps on the skin may get better, the redness and flushing are less likely to improve.

 

Small red lines can be treated with electrosurgery and laser surgery. For some people, laser surgery improves the skin without much scarring or damage.

 

Patients with a swollen, bumpy nose can have extra skin tissue taken off. And some people find that green-tinted makeup is good for hiding the skin's redness.

 

 

Most eye problems related to rosacea are treated with oral antibiotics. People who get infections of the eyelids must clean them a lot, which entails scrubbing the eyelids gently with watered-down baby shampoo or an over-the-counter eyelid cleaner. After scrubbing, you should apply a warm (but not hot) compress a few times a day. If needed, doctors may prescribe steroid eye drops.

 

Self-Care Suggestions

Here are a few self-care suggestions for dealing with rosacea:

 

• Keep a written record of when the flare-ups occur. This can give you clues about what bothers your skin.

• Use a sunscreen every day that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure that it has a sun-protecting factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen is particularly important for people whose skin is irritated by exposure to the sun.

• Use a mild moisturizer if it helps, and don't put irritating products on the face.

• Practice good skin care.

• If you have eye problems, follow your doctor's treatment plan, and clean your eyelids as told.

• Talk with a doctor if you feel sad or have other signs of depression.

 

Other Names for Rosacea

Rosacea is also known as:

 

• Acne rosacea
• Adult acne
• Rhinophyma.

 

Research on Rosacea

Rosacea researchers are currently looking for:

 

• Ways to stop dry eyes and help other eye problems associated with the condition
• Drugs that can help treat rosacea
• Ways to reduce scarring after extra skin on the nose is removed.