Rosacea

Overview

Rosacea is a skin condition that makes the skin dry, rough, scaly, and red and may persist for a long period. This disease affects other body parts like the eyes, and nose and may even cause facial disfigurement. Different factors such as sun exposure, harsh skin products, and spicy foods may worsen the condition and people should avoid them as much as possible to manage it.

Doctors often conduct a physical exam and examine the symptoms to reach the diagnosis and if the results are positive, they prescribe antibiotics such as doxycycline to treat the condition. The disease can be managed by wearing sunscreen, using mild soaps, and good moisturisers. People should also consider making lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol consumption, switching to a healthy diet, and decreasing caffeine intake.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes skin irritation, flushing or redness. It usually affects the nose, cheeks, and forehead and also can affect other body parts such as the neck, chest or other areas. This disease may be mistaken for acne, dermatitis or other skin problems. There are different types of this disease showing symptoms such as pus or fluid-filled bumps on the skin, a bulbous nose and irritated, bloodshot or watery eyes.

Types of Rosacea

There are 4 different types of rosacea:

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes long-term redness on the face because small blood vessels under the skin get larger and more visible. The redness may get worse without proper treatment and may even become permanent.

Papulopustular Rosacea

Papulopustular rosacea causes pus or fluid-filled whiteheads (a type of small that causes small, white or yellowish bumps on the skin) on the skin with similar symptoms to acne. These whiteheads often appear on the cheeks, forehead, and chin but can also be on a person’s chest, scalp, or neck and their face may also be red or flushed.

Phymatous Rosacea

Phymatous rosacea is rare where the skin becomes discoloured, swollen, thick, bumpy, and scarred. The disease often affects the nose, making it appear bulbous. This is called rhinophyma where the nose becomes enlarged and bulbous because of enlarged oil glands in the nose and cheek.

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular rosacea affects a person’s eyes and makes them feel irritated, bloodshot or watery. The eyes may become dry and sensitive to light and painful bumps can form on the eyelids.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Some types of rosacea, namely, erythematotelangiectatic rosacea has flushing and redness in the centre of the face, visibly broken blood vessels, and swollen and sensitive skin. People with papulopustular rosacea may experience acne-like breakouts and very red skin. Individuals may also have dry, rough, and scaly skin, which may sting or burn.

Phymatous rosacea shows symptoms such as swollen, flushing skin, redness, sensitivity, dry or scaly skin, broken blood vessels, and stinging and burning of the skin. Someone with ocular rosacea has dry, itchy, bloodshot and watery eyes, and a burning or stinging sensation. The eyes may become sensitive to light, vision may diminish and broken blood vessels can appear on the eyelids and may have cysts on them.

Causes of Rosacea

The causes of rosacea are currently under research. However, some possible causes of this condition include hot weather, prolonged sun exposure, humidity or steam, using skin products, eating spicy foods or foods with strong or sharp flavours, and contact with microorganisms such as Demodex mites. Some other causes include alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise, and emotional stress.

One of risk factors of this condition include age, which plays a major role in developing this disease as people between 30 and 50 years old often develop the condition. Also, it is more common in fair-skinned people with blond hair and blue eyes, in people who have family members with the same condition, and in person having Celtic or Scandinavian ancestors. The condition is also more likely to occur in women but men have more severe conditions if they develop the condition.

Diagnosis for Rosacea

Doctors will talk to the patients about their symptoms and conduct a thorough physical exam where they may examine the face and the eyes. They will also ask about the patient’s medical history. Rosacea cannot be confirmed by conducting a test. Doctors may recommend people with this disease to visit a dermatologist specialising in skin conditions.

Treatment of Rosacea

Rosacea cannot be cured but can be managed by relieving or reducing symptoms There are different treatment options such as oral and topical medicines, laser treatments, and surgery to treat this condition. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics like doxycycline pills, gels or creams, brimonidine gel or creams and gels containing ivermectin, azelaic acid, or metronidazole. Furthermore, there are treatment options such as glycolic acid peels, dermabrasion, and electrosurgery to cure this condition.

Prevention of Rosacea

Rosacea cannot be prevented but patients can reduce the risk of rosacea symptoms from getting worse. It would be prudent to recognise the symptoms and take professional advice to avoid complications. Also, people should always be careful while going outside in the sun as the ultraviolet rays in sunlight may trigger rosacea symptoms and can damage it making it hard for the skin to heal. People may avoid this sun damage by putting on sunscreen and reapplying it frequently throughout the day. They can also put on UV-protective clothing to protect their skin from the sunlight.

Myths and Facts Related to Rosacea

Following are some myths and facts related to rosacea:

Myth 1: Rosacea and Acne are the Same
Fact: A few rosacea symptoms may often overlap with ace but both of these diseases and their causes and treatment differ. Acne occurs because of hormonal changes, or clogged hair follicles while rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition.

Myth 2: Poor Hygiene Can Cause Rosacea
Fact: Rosacea cannot be caused by poor hygiene as it is a vascular and inflammatory condition. This disease may worsen if someone washes their face too often as soaps and scrubbing can irritate the skin.

Myth 3: Rosacea Does Not Need Treatment
Fact: Many people think that since rosacea usually does not cause serious complications, it does not need treatment. However, rosacea will more likely get worse and more unmanageable if not treated.