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What You Need To Know About Rosacea
There is no known cause associated with Rosacea, 
however, some people are more at risk than others. People with fair skin make up 75% of those diagnosed with rosacea. Studies from the National Rosacea Society also show a connection to hereditary, with 40% of sufferers able to identify a relation with the same condition. Rosacea is most likely to occur in people aged 30 - 55 with first signs often being ignored or misdiagnosed resulting in increased intensity and damage with subsequent flare-ups. Sun damage can also cause the blood vessels to expand and become visible on the skin of the face and neck. High levels of acne producing bacteria is also common with 79% of patients suffering greater oil and bacterial production than people without the disease.
There are four "subtypes" of rosacea ranging from mild to severe.
- The first subtype is erythematotelangiectatic rosacea which is distinguished by prolonged redness and visible blood vessels.
- Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea) is a constant redness accompanies with acne like bumps and pimples.
- Phymatous rosacea (subtype 3) is characterised by a thickening of skin, especially on the nose causing it to become bulbous and disfigured, requiring surgery to correct.
- The fourth subtype is ocular rosacea in which you feel burning, dry or watery eyes. Eyelids can become swollen and due to corneal damage a possible loss of vision. Styes in this subtype are common and are often the first indicator of this condition.
So how can you tell if you have rosacea?
The key symptoms are blushing and persisting redness, acne, and blood vessels or spider veins on the face. Additional symptoms include swelling of the face, eye irritations, thickened and an overly dry appearance of skin.
There is no cure for rosacea, however Dermatologists and physicians can provide treatments to control and eliminate the signs. Antibiotics are prescribed to lessen the dilation of blood vessels and topical creams are then added to keep any symptoms under control. In severe cases azelaic acid, which is used to treat acne, can be prescribed to help treat pimples and bumps. Cosmetic surgery can be used to reshape the nose if you suffer from subtype 3. Laser therapy is used to treat the small dilated veins and redness, by heating the vein causing it to break down into scar tissue which is then absorbed by the body. Patients who undergo this type of treatment can expect improvements after 3-5 sessions. Without treatment, flare-ups tend to exacerbate in intensity over time making it more difficult to treat. Long term medication use is proven to increase the remission rate by 40%.
Once you have been diagnosed with rosacea it is important to prevent future episodes by various lifestyle changes. This can be accomplished by limiting sun exposure, maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins A, B and C, and drinking at least 2 litres of water per day. A thorough but gentle skin regime is recommended to help remove excess oils and bacteria whilst not damaging the skin with abrasive chemicals. Stress management as well as limiting alcohol and caffeine, all have proven results of reducing the chances of a recurrence. Cover up cosmetics are useful to hide symptoms of a flare-up, using a green based concealer can reduce the red look of your skin.
Rosacea can be devastating to a persons lifestyle and emotional health. The National Rosacea Society found recently that due to their condition, 75% of sufferers had low self esteem and that 41% limited their public contact and social interactions with 30% missing days from work. Another study conducted with 400 sufferers shows that with treatment emotional health returns, with 70% of patients felt more confident and 60% happier with their social and professional lives.
Over 45 million people world wide are affected by the disorder, yet only one in four people have heard of it. Early detection is vital to treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to remission. If you think that you or someone you know may suffer from rosacea you should see a dermatologist or physician to correctly diagnose and treat before it develops further.