Rosacea Treatments

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common chronic condition primarily of the facial skin. It is common in the third and fourth decade of life, peaking at the age of 40 and 50 years. The causes of rosacea are still not identified but there is a heriditary component. The early stage rosacea is characterized by persistent redness and teleangiectasia (spider veins) predominantly of the cheeks frequently followed by papules (bumps) and papulopustules (pus containing bumps). Later, there may occur diffuse overgrowth of connective tissue and sebaceous glands. This can cause a enlargement of the nose, a so called rhinophyma.
Rosacea occurs in stages and may effect the eyes, most commonly resulting in blepharitis (inflammation of the lids) and conjunctivitis (pink eye). Also other parts beside the face such as the neck, chest, back and the scalp may be affected. The clinical appearance can be similar to acne.
Rosacea can be treated and controlled if medical advice is sought in the early stages. When left untreated, rosacea often gets worse and then becomes more difficult to treat. The most common procedure for Rosacea include Pulsed Dye Laser (Vbeam Laser).

Symptoms

1. Flushing of Face/Neck
Rosacea can cause redness, similar to that of a blush or sunburn. The flushing occurs when increased amounts of blood flow through vessels at a fast rate and the vessels expand to accommodate this flow. The redness may become more noticeable and persistent as the disease progresses.
2. Dry Facial Skin
Some people notice that their facial skin becomes increasingly dry.
3. Pimples
The pimples of rosacea, which often occur as the disease progresses, are different from those of acne because blackheads and whiteheads (known as comedones) rarely appear. Rather, people with rosacea have visible small blood vessels and their pimples—some containing pus—appear as small, red bumps.
4. Red Lines
Some with rosacea notice red lines, called telangiectasia (tell-an-jek-taze-yah), which appear when they flush. This is due to small blood vessels of the face becoming enlarged and showing through the skin. These red lines usually appear on the cheeks — especially when the overall redness diminishes.
5. Bumps on Nose
Nasal bumps, a condition called rhinophyma (rye-no-feye-muh), are an uncommon sign seen in untreated rosacea. Men are more likely to experience the small, knobby bumps on the nose and as the number of bumps increases, the nose and cheeks may appear swollen.
6. Facial Burning, Stinging or Itching
A 2002 survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society indicated that some people who have rosacea suffer physical symptoms, such as facial burning, stinging or itching.

Rosacea Q&A:

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) disease that affects the skin and sometimes the eyes. The disorder is characterized by redness, pimples, and, in advanced stages, thickened skin. Rosacea usually affects the face; other parts of the upper body are only rarely involved.

Who Gets Rosacea?

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have rosacea. It most often affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Rosacea is more common in women (particularly during menopause) than men. Although rosacea can develop in people of any skin color, it tends to occur most frequently and is most apparent in people with fair skin.

What Does Rosacea Look Like?

There are several symptoms and conditions associated with rosacea. These include frequent flushing, vascular rosacea, inflammatory rosacea, and several other conditions involving the skin, eyes, and nose.
Frequent flushing of the center of the face--which may include the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin--occurs in the earliest stage of rosacea. The flushing often is accompanied by a burning sensation, particularly when creams or cosmetics are applied to the face. Sometimes the face is swollen slightly.
A condition called vascular rosacea causes persistent flushing and redness. Blood vessels under the skin of the face may dilate (enlarge), showing through the skin as small red lines. This is called telangiectasia (tel-AN-je-ek-tay-ze-ah). The affected skin may be swollen slightly and feel warm.
A condition called inflammatory rosacea causes persistent redness and papules (pink bumps) and pustules (bumps containing pus) on the skin. Eye inflammation and sensitivity as well as telangiectasia also may occur.
In the most advanced stage of rosacea, the skin becomes a deep shade of red and inflammation of the eye is more apparent. Numerous telangiectases are often present, and nodules in the skin may become painful. A condition called rhinophyma also may develop in some men; it is rare in women.
Rhinophyma is characterized by an enlarged, bulbous, and red nose resulting from enlargement of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands beneath the surface of the skin on the nose. People who have rosacea also may develop a thickening of the skin on the forehead, chin, cheeks, or other areas.

What Causes Rosacea?

Doctors do not know the exact cause of rosacea but believe that some people may inherit a tendency to develop the disorder. People who blush frequently may be more likely to develop rosacea. Some researchers believe that rosacea is a disorder where blood vessels dilate too easily, resulting in flushing and redness.
Factors that cause rosacea to flare up in one person may have no effect on another person. Although the following factors have not been well-researched, some people claim that one or more of them have aggravated their rosacea: heat (including hot baths), strenuous exercise, sunlight, wind, very cold temperatures, hot or spicy foods and drinks, alcohol consumption, menopause, emotional stress, and long-term use of topical steroids on the face.
Patients affected by pustules may assume they are caused by bacteria, but researchers have not established a link between rosacea and bacteria or other organisms on the skin, in the hair follicles, or elsewhere in the body.

How is Rosacea treated and can it be cured?

Although there is no cure for rosacea, it can be treated and controlled. The goals of treatment are to control the condition and improve the appearance of the patient's skin. It may take several weeks or months of treatment before a person notices an improvement of the skin.
Some doctors will prescribe a topical antibiotic, such as metronidazole, which is applied directly to the affected skin. For people with more severe cases, doctors often prescribe an oral (taken by mouth) antibiotic. Tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, and doxycycline are the most common antibiotics used to treat rosacea. The papules and pustules symptomatic of rosacea may respond quickly to treatment, but the redness and flushing are less likely to improve.
Some people who have rosacea become depressed by the changes in the appearance of their skin, They often experience low self-esteem, feel embarrassed by their appearance, and claim their social and professional interactions with others are adversely affected.
Pulsed Dye Laser (Vbeam Laser) is state of the art technologies used to treat rosacea.

We recommend Laser treatments (Vbeam & Topical Remedies)