Acne Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, and has been nicknamed the 'curse of the Celts' by some in Britain and Ireland. Areas affected by the redness include the central face across the cheeks, nose, or forehead, but can also less commonly affect the neck, chest, ears, and scalp. Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition. It primarily affects Caucasians of mainly northwestern European descent, but can also affect people of other ethnicities. It affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women. It has a peak age of onset between 30 and 60.

The explanation for the symptoms of rosacea seems to involve dilation of the small blood vessels of the face. In addition, there are several factors that might trigger to cause rosacea to flare. Emotional factors may trigger blushing and aggravate rosacea. Sun exposure and weather changes can also cause the flare up. Exercise, alcohol consumption, emotional upsets, and spicy food are other well-known triggers that may aggravate rosacea.

Types of Rosacea

1. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Permanent redness with a tendency to flush and blush easily. This may possibly be accompanied by burning or itching sensations.

2. Papulopustular rosacea: Some permanent redness with red bumps. They are commonly filled with some pus which typically last 1–4 days.

3. Phymatous rosacea: Symptoms include thickening skin, irregular surface nodularities, and enlargement. It can also affect the chin, forehead, cheeks, eyelids, and ears.

4. Ocular rosacea: Red, dry and irritated eyes and eyelids. Some other symptoms include foreign body sensations, itching and burning.

Causes of Rosacea

The exact cause of rosace is still unknown. Although it has been linked to affect people who have fair skin or blush easily, and it seems to run in families. Sun exposure, hair follicle irritation, the bacteria, gastrointestinal disease, and medications that cause blood vessels to widen are also associated to cause rosacea.

Treatments

Treatment often helps keep symptoms under control and prevents the disease from getting worse. There is no direct treatment for rosacea, however , rosacea symptoms can get worse if left untreated. Treatment for the four main forms of rosacea varies depending on the symptoms.

Prevention

Since the exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, prevention should be focused on the factors that may trigger the flares. Avoiding these potential triggers may also help relieve symptoms and disease flares. Smoking, spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol may cause flushing and should be avoided. Exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures should be limited as much as possible. Medications like potent cortisone should be avoided on the face because they can promote widening of the tiny blood vessels of the face.