Facial Rosacea Treatments and Symptoms
| | Facial rosacea is a very common benign skin condition that affects many people worldwide. It is estimated that at least 14 million people in the United States alone suffer from it. |
Symptoms include red patches, visible broken blood vessels, small red bumps, red cysts, and pink or red eyes. Most people with rosacea may not even know they have it and assume they have facial acne, are blushing a lot, or have a sunburn.

It is considered a chronic, non-curable skin disorder with periodic flare-ups. As contrast to acne, most adults do not outgrow rosacea. It characteristically involves the central region of the face, causing persistent redness or flushing over areas of the face and nose that normally blush, which includes the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. Reddening of the skin may cause small blood vessels in the face to dilate and become more visible, appearing like tiny red lines, called telangiectasias. Continual or repeated episodes of flushing may promote inflammation, causing red bumps that resemble teenage acne. Rosacea is different than acne, although the two can coexist. It has also been called ‘adult acne.’ Unlike acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teenagers but occurs most often in adults, ages 30 - 50. Facial rosacea can occur in both sexes and potentially all ages. Overall however, it tends to occur more frequently in women but more severely in men. It is very uncommon in children, and usually does not occur in people with darker skin tones or black skin. The condition is commonly seen in people with fair or light skin, and particularly in those of Irish and Scottish descents. Famous people with rosacea have included former President Bill Clinton and W.C. Fields. Causes of Facial RosaceaThe exact cause of rosacea is unknown but it involves dilation of the small blood vessels of the face. Suspected causes of rosacea include genetic factors, genetics plus sun exposure, a mite sometimes found in hair follicles (Demodex folliculorum), the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (that is associated with stomach ulcers), gastrointestinal disease, and medications that cause blood vessels to dilate. Triggers of Facial RosaceaA variety of triggers are known to cause rosacea. Some of the most common triggers include sun exposure, stress, hot weather, alcohol, spicy foods, embarrassment, and irritating skin care products. Rosacea flare-ups can be caused by changes in weather patterns or changes in the humidity. Sun exposure or sun-damaged skin can also be associated with rosacea. Exercise, alcohol consumption, and emotions, are other well-known triggers that may aggravate rosacea. Many people may also notice episodes around the holidays, particularly Christmas and New Year's holidays. Symptoms of Facial RosaceaTypical signs and symptoms include facial flushing, redness, burning, red bumps, and cysts. The symptoms tend to come and go. The skin may be clear for weeks, months, or years and then erupt again. Rosacea tends to evolve in stages and typically causes inflammation of the skin of the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. When rosacea first develops, it may appear, then disappear, and then reappear. However, the skin may fail to return to its normal color and the enlarged blood vessels and bumps come back. Rosacea may rarely reverse itself. Facial rosacea generally lasts for years. If left untreated, it tends to get worse. Nose RosaceaYour nose is one of the first areas to be affected in rosacea. It becomes red and bumpy and develops noticeable dilated small blood vessels. Left untreated, advanced stages of rosacea can cause a disfiguring nose condition called Rhinophyma, which is literally growth of the nose. It is characterized by a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks. There may also be thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas. Rhinophyma occurs mainly in men. Severe Rhinophyma can require surgery. Some people falsely attribute the prominent red nose to excessive alcohol intake, and this stigma can cause embarrassment to anyone with facial rosacea. Although a red nose may be seen in many people with heavy alcohol use, not every patient with rosacea abuses alcohol. Eye RosaceaRosacea may or may not affect the eyes. Not everyone with rosacea has problems. A complication of advanced rosacea, known as ocular rosacea, does affect the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea report feeling burning, dryness, and grittiness in their eyes (conjunctivitis). They may also experience redness of the eyelids and a sensitivity to light. Often the eye symptoms may go completely unnoticed and not be a major concern. Many times, the physician or ophthalmologist may be the first one to notice the symptoms. Untreated, ocular rosacea may cause a serious complication that can damage the cornea, called rosacea keratitis. An ophthalmologist can assist in a proper eye evaluation and prescribe eye drops. Untreated eye rosacea may cause permanent damage, which includes impaired vision. Facial Rosacea TreatmentsThere are many treatment choices for rosacea depending on the severity and extent of symptoms. Available medical treatments include antibacterial washes, topical creams, antibiotic pills, lasers, pulsed-light therapies, photodynamic therapy, and isotretinoin. Mild rosacea may not necessarily require treatment if the individual is not bothered by the condition. More resistant cases may require a combination of treatments used at the same time. Some include washing with a prescription sulfa wash twice a day, applying an antibacterial cream morning and night, and/or taking an oral antibiotic for outbreaks. A series of in-office laser, intense pulsed light, or photodynamic therapies may also be used in combination with the home regimen. It is advisable to seek a physician's care for the proper evaluation and treatment of rosacea. Home Facial Rosacea TreatmentsCleansers Your facial skin care should involve using a gentle cleanser to wash your face twice a day. Over-washing may cause irritation. A sunscreen lotion is advisable each morning. Your physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic or steroid creme to use once or twice a day under your sunscreen. Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may also aggravate redness and swelling. Facial products such as soap, moisturizers, and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has dried. When going outdoors, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are needed. In addition, prescription or over-the-counter sensitive skin cleansers may also provide symptom relief and control. Harsh soaps and lotions should be avoided, whereas simple and pure products such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar may be less irritating. Patients should avoid excessive rubbing or scrubbing the face. Using chamomile as a rinse/swab will keep the flare ups down. Green tea creams, like Mychelle Deep Repair Cream are great too. Topical creams With the proper treatment, rosacea symptoms can be fairly well controlled. Popular methods of treatment include topical (skin) medications applied by the patient once or twice a day. Topical antibiotic medication such as metronidazole applied one to two times a day after cleansing may significantly improve rosacea. Azelaic acid (Finacea gel 15%) is another effective treatment for patients with rosacea. Both metronidazole and azelaic acid work to control the redness and bumps in rosacea. Zinc Supplements Britain ’s leading nutritionist Jane Clarke has some terrific advice for treating rosacea. She advocates the use of zinc pills (Zinc Sulfate ) as it has been found that people given large doses of zinc supplements (up to 300 mg) have experienced an improvement in their condition. Large doses of zinc supplements can cause side-effects and stomach problems such as cramps, indigestion and diarrhea, she advises that it is always better to seek an expert’s opinion about the suitable dosage. Diet Your diet can play a major role in aggravating or improving your skin condition. A wholesome nutritious diet with little or no low-glycemic foods can do a world of good for skin conditions like rosacea or acne. If you can identify foods that are more likely to induce or worsen your symptoms of rosacea, you can prevent outbreaks. Your skin will benefit if you completely avoid trigger foods. An occasional tea or coffee is not likely to worsen your condition. In fact intake of herbs like green tea might even help. But excessive intake of coffee/tea, soda’s, and alcohol should be avoided. Making certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding hot baths and extreme changes in temperature also helps in relieving the symptoms. A good way to consume foods and drinks at room temperature and avoid foods which are steaming hot or ice-cold. Seabuckthorn The research found that acne rosacea was linked to a microscopic parasite, known as demodex, which lives within the skin glands and hair follicles of 99.8% of all humans. The research further concluded that Seabuckthorn Seed Oil was extremely effective in treating cases of the acne rosacea. Seabuckthorn has many applications for its use. It can be used in cancer therapy, cardiovascular diseases, gastric ulcers, liver cirrhosis, and to help treat skin conditions. It is loaded with essential fatty acids and vitamins that are important for good health. Glycolic Peels Glycolic acid peels may additionally help to improve and control rosacea in some patients. Glycolic Acid peels can professionally be applied for approximately two to five minutes every two to four weeks. Facial skin peels can also be done at home! Mild stinging, itching, or burning may occur and some patients experience peeling for several days after the treatment. Any peel can irritate very sensitive skin and cause flares for some patients. Sun Protection Sun exposure is a known flare for some facial rosacea sufferers. Sun protection using a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreens are generally encouraged. Because rosacea tends to occur in mostly fair-skinned adults, the use of an appropriate daily sunscreen lotion and overall sun avoidance is recommended. Zinc-based sunscreens (SPF 30 or higher) may provide adequate sun protection. Concealers for Facial RosaceaSimple cover-up makeup can be used for the telangiectasias. Green-based moisturizers or tinted foundations that may help conceal the redness. Dermablend Cover Creme has long been used to hide imperfections. Facial rosacea may be something you have to live with, but you can certainly control outbreaks by using some preventative actions. Yes, it sucks to have to modify your lifestyle, but isn't life in a constant state of take and give anyway? Acceptance is the real key to happiness!
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