If your face looks like you’re blushing or you often get bumps that are a bit like acne, you might have a skin condition called Rosacea. It’s a long term skin condition which mainly affects the face. Anyone can be affected by it, but it is more common in women and people with lighter skin tone. It causes blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels on the face. Usually it only affects the face and eyes but in some cases, the neck, chest or other areas are affected too. Rosacea is a skin condition that dermatologists treat frequently. Although there’s no permanent cure for rosacea, treatments can control and reduce the signs and symptoms. People may mistake rosacea for acne, eczema or allergic reaction. For this reason, it is advised to consult the Best Dermatologist in Islamabad if you ever experience signs of rosacea.
Causes
The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown but there are a number of possible factors that contribute to causing rosacea:
- Abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face
- A reaction to microscopic mites commonly found on the face
- Genetics, as rosacea often runs in the family
- A bacteria called H. Pylori, known to raise the amount of gastrin, might also cause skin to look flushed
Triggers
There are several triggers that may make rosacea worse. If you have rosacea keep an eye out for these triggers:
- Exposure to sunlight
- Stress
- Strenuous exercise
- Extreme hot or cold weather
- Hot drinks
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Spicy foods
- Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medication
- Some cosmetic, skin or hair care products
Symptoms
These are the symptoms of rosacea:
- Facial blushing or flushing
Rosacea can cause persistent blushing or flushing in the central part of the face.
- Spider veins
Small blood vessels of the nose and cheeks break and become visible commonly known as spider veins.
- Swollen bumps
Many people suffering from rosacea develop pimples on their face. These pimples resemble acne and may contain pus.
- Burning Sensation
The affected area of the face may feel hot and tender.
- Eye Problems
People with rosacea also experience dry, irritated, swollen eyes and eyelids. This is called ocular rosacea. Eye symptoms precede skin symptoms in some people.
Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose rosacea. Dermatologists rely on the history of symptoms and examine your skin in order to make an apt diagnosis. You may go through tests to rule out conditions like psoriasis and lupus. If your rosacea symptoms involve eyes, your Dermatologist may refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Treatment
Although there is no cure, treatments can help manage the redness, bumps and other symptoms caused by rosacea. Here is how rosacea is treated for people with different variants of the condition:
Medication
A range of oral and topical medicines are prescribed by the dermatologists to treat rosacea. These depend on the symptoms that vary from patient to patient. Prescription drugs used to treat rosacea include:
- Topical drugs that reduce flushing and help control the pimples of mild rosacea.
- Oral antibiotics for moderate to severe rosacea with bumps and pimples.
- Oral acne drugs for severe rosacea that does not respond to other therapies.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can make enlarged blood vessels less visible. The full effect of treatment might not be noticeable for weeks. Repeated treatments may be needed periodically to maintain the improved appearance of the skin.
Lifestyle changes and home remedies
These self-care practices may help you control the signs and symptoms of rosacea and prevent flare-ups:
- Identify and avoid triggers. Pay attention to what tends to cause flare-ups for you and avoid those triggers.
- Protect your face. Apply a good amount of sunscreen before going outdoors, after applying any topical medication you are using for your face, and before applying any cosmetics.
- Take steps to protect your skin from extreme hot or cold weather.
- Treat your skin gently. Don’t rub or touch your face too much. Avoid products that contain skin irritants, such as alcohol, camphor, urea and menthol.
- Reduce visible flushing with makeup.
- Gentle daily facial massage may help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Alternative Medicine
Many other alternative therapies including emu oil, laurelwood and oregano oil, have been popular to treat rosacea. But no conclusive evidence supports the idea that any of these substances are effective.
Talk with your dermatologist about the use of specific alternative therapies before trying any of them.
Psychological Aspect
Having rosacea can be distressing. You might feel embarrassed or anxious about your appearance and be frustrated or upset by other people’s reactions. Consider talking with a counselor about these feelings.
