Overview
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition in which the blood vessels will be visible over the facial skin. It causes blushing in the face. It usually affects your face, especially the cheeks, forehead and nose.
It causes pus-filled red bumps on your face that are often confused with acne. The specific causes for this disease are unknown. Rosacea usually causes red bumps during flare-ups.
It normally occurs in cycles—you experience the symptoms for some weeks. Then comes the phase of reduced bumps. There is also no conclusive treatment available to cure this disease completely.
What are the types of Rosacea?
Rosacea is categorised into four types with slightly different symptoms for each type.
- In this type, the facial skin will be reddened and flushed. You will show visible blood vessels over your skin. If you look for erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea pictures, you’ll see the skin reddening.
- This type is also called papulopustular Rosacea. It poses a high risk in middle-aged women. This papulopustular Rosacea gives rise to acne-like bumps on the skin.
- It is also known as rhinophyma. In this rare form of Rosacea, you will experience skin thickening around your nose area. Men are the ones who are usually affected by this type.
- It is also called ocular Rosacea, which causes symptoms around your eyes.
What are the symptoms of Rosacea?
Visible veins
The blood vessels around your nose and cheek area will pop up and be visible.
Facial blushing
The disease causes intense redness on the face along with bumps. It mostly spreads on the central part of your face. These symptoms are more prominent in people with white skin.
Bumps
Most people develop pus-filled pimples on their faces. They often confuse them with acne.
Some other symptoms of Rosacea include:
- Sensitive skin
- Stinging and burning sensation in the skin
- Dryness and roughness in the skin
- Skin becomes oily
- Bumpy textures in the skin
- Large pores
- Thickening of the skin in the nose area
- Cysts on eyes
- Problems with vision
- Dry and itchy eyes
What are the causes of Rosacea?
Medical experts find it hard to pinpoint the exact cause that gives rise to this disease. Against the common belief, Rosacea does not occur due to poor hygiene.
It is observed that the overactive immune system, hereditary transfer, environmental factors, or the combination of one or more of the above factors could be the cause of Rosacea.
Rosacea is not a contagious disease as it cannot spread from one person to another.
However, certain lifestyle practices directly amplify the symptoms you may experience from Rosacea. They are:
- Consuming spicy foods
- Consuming red wine and other alcoholic beverages
- Food items containing cinnamaldehyde such as cinnamon, chocolates, etc.
- Consuming hot drinks
- Intake of medications that dilate blood vessels
- Using certain cosmetics and hair care products
- Emotions such as embarrassment and stress, emotional distress and low self-esteem
Other factors that cause Rosacea include:
- Exposing to the Sun or wind
- Being in extreme temperatures
- Presence of excessive cathelicidin (a certain form of protein that protects skin from getting infected)
What are the risk factors of Rosacea?
Rosacea has no specific preferences. Anyone can catch this disease. However, there are some risk factors that you need to be aware of.
- Women are more susceptible to this disease
- Pale and white-skinned people have more risk
- People over 30 years of age
- Those who smoke
- People with a family history of Rosacea
Are there any remedial measures available for Rosacea?
Rosacea has no conclusive cure to date. However, you can minimise the symptoms of different kinds of Rosacea including inflammatory and vascular Rosacea by incorporating certain practices.
Using oil-free cleansers and creams can help suppress the symptoms. It is advisable to avoid products that contain alcohol, menthol, witch hazel and exfoliating agents.
Some ways to subdue the symptoms of Rosacea include:
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight without applying sunscreen
- Using laser treatments to reduce severe symptoms
Apart from these protective measures and home remedies, you need to visit your doctor for treatment. Your doctor will devise a treatment plan that usually comprises taking antibiotics in the form of tablets and creams.
Outlook
Due to the fact that the exact cause for Rosacea is hard to locate, there is no definitive way to prevent this disease. However, knowing the risk factors and avoiding the scenarios that may lead to this disease will highly insulate you from this.
Although there is no cure for Rosacea, home remedies and practising certain lifestyle habits will help you reduce the severity of the symptoms.
