Description

Rosacea (roe-ZAY-she-uh) is a common skin condition that causes redness of long-term or redness in your face. It can also cause enlargement of the blood vessels and small pus-filled blisters. Some symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then go away for a time.

Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, dermatitis and other skin problems.

There is No cure for rosacea. But you may be able to control with medication, gentle skin care and avoid the things that cause flare-ups.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rosacea include:

  • Facial redness and flushing. Rosacea can cause the face to flush more easily. With time, you may notice that your face stays red. Depending on the color of the skin, redness can be subtle or look more pink or purple.
  • Visible veins. The small blood vessels of the nose and the cheeks are broken down and become larger. These are also called spider veins. May be subtle and difficult to see, depending on the color of the skin.
  • Swollen bumps. Many people with rosacea develop pimples on the face that look like acne. These bumps may contain pus. May also appear on the chest and back.
  • Burning sensation. The skin of the affected area may feel warm and tender.
  • Eye problems. Many people with rosacea also have dryness, irritation, inflammation of the eyes and eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. The eyes, the symptoms can appear before, after or at the same time the symptoms of the skin.
  • Enlargement of the nose. Over time, rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear larger. This condition is also known as rhinophyma. It occurs more often in men than in women.

When to see a doctor

If you have ongoing symptoms of the face or the eyes, consult a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and treatment. Skin specialists are also called dermatologists.

Causes

The cause of rosacea is not known. It could be due to genetics, an overactive immune system or things in your daily life. Rosacea is not caused by lack of hygiene, and you can't get it from other people.

Flare-ups can be caused by:

  • The sun or the wind.
  • Hot drinks.
  • Spicy foods.
  • The consumption of Alcohol.
  • Very hot and cold.
  • The emotional stress.
  • Exercise.
  • Drugs that dilate the blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications.
  • Some cosmetics, skin and hair care products.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop rosacea. But you may be more likely to develop if you:

  • Have skin that burns easily in the sun.
  • Are between the ages of 30 to 50 years.
  • Have a history of smoking.
  • Have a family member with rosacea.

Diagnosis

To determine if you have rosacea, a doctor or other health care professional examines your skin and asking you about your symptoms. You may have tests to rule out other conditions, such as psoriasis or lupus. Some of the symptoms of rosacea can be more difficult to see in Black and brown skin. These include spider veins and redness. So it is important to pay attention to other symptoms, such as inflammation, facial swelling, itching, and dry-looking skin.

If your symptoms involve your eyes, I can see an eye doctor, also called an ophthalmologist, for other tests.

Treatment

If your symptoms do not improve with self-care tips below, talk to a member of your health care team about a prescription cream or gel. This type of medication can help to ease the symptoms. For more severe rosacea, you might need prescription pills. The laser treatment can be used to reduce the redness and enlargement of blood vessels in the face.

How long treatment is needed depends on the type of rosacea you have and the severity of their symptoms. Even if your skin calm with the treatment, the symptoms often return.

Medications

Several medications are used to help control the symptoms of rosacea. The type of medication you are prescribed depends on the symptoms. For example, some medications or treatments work best for washing, and some medications work better for pimples and bumps. You may need to test one or more drugs to find a treatment that works for you.

Medications for rosacea include:

  • Gels or other products applied to the skin.For the washing of mild to moderate rosacea, you can try a medicated cream or gel that is applied to the affected skin. Examples are brimonidine (Mirvaso) and oxymetazoline (Rhofade), which reduce the redness by constricting the blood vessels. You can see the results within a period of 12 hours after use. The effect on the blood vessels is temporary. Excessive use can lead to the worst of washing. So instead of using all of the days, you could use just before important events. Brimonidine and oxymetazoline are often not covered by insurance. Other topical medications to control products of grains of mild rosacea. Examples are azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea), metronidazole (Metrogel, Noritate, others) and ivermectin (Soolantra). With azelaic acid and metronidazole, you may not see the results of 2 to 6 weeks. Ivermectin can take even more time to improve the skin. But the results tend to last longer than metronidazole. Sometimes, the use of two or more of these products leads to the best results.
  • Antibiotics taken by mouth. For more severe rosacea pimples and blackheads, you may be prescribed an oral antibiotic pill, such as doxycycline (Oracea, other).
  • Acne medication that you take by mouth. For severe rosacea that does not respond to other medicines, you can prescribe isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, other). It is a potent oral medication for acne that also helps cleanse the bumps of rosacea. This medication should not be taken during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects.

Gels or other products applied to the skin. For the washing of mild to moderate rosacea, you can try a medicated cream or gel that is applied to the affected skin. Examples are brimonidine (Mirvaso) and oxymetazoline (Rhofade), which reduce the redness by constricting the blood vessels. You can see the results within a period of 12 hours after use. The effect on the blood vessels is temporary. Excessive use can lead to the worst of washing. So instead of using all of the days, you could use just before important events.

Brimonidine and oxymetazoline are often not covered by insurance.

Other topical medications to control products of grains of mild rosacea. Examples are azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea), metronidazole (Metrogel, Noritate, others) and ivermectin (Soolantra). With azelaic acid and metronidazole, you may not see the results of 2 to 6 weeks. Ivermectin can take even more time to improve the skin. But the results tend to last longer than metronidazole. Sometimes, the use of two or more of these products leads to the best results.

The treatment with laser

The laser treatment can help improve the appearance of dilated blood vessels. You can also help long-term redness of rosacea. And often works better than a cream or a pill for this symptom. Because the laser targets visible veins, this method is most effective on skin that is not tanned, brown or Black.

Talk with a member of your health care team about the risks and benefits of treatment with laser. Common side effects include redness, bruising and mild swelling for a couple of days after the treatment. Rare side effects include blistering and scarring. The formation of ice and smooth of skin care help to heal. In brown or Black skin, the laser treatment can cause long-term or permanent changes in the color of the treated skin.

The full effect of the treatment could not be seen for weeks. Repeat treatments may be necessary to maintain the best appearance of the skin.

Laser treatment for rosacea is sometimes considered a cosmetic procedure. These procedures are often not covered by insurance. However, today some insurance companies cover the procedure. Check with your insurance company directly to see if they cover the laser treatment for rosacea.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These self-care tips can help to soothe the skin and prevent flare-ups:

  • Identify and avoid the things that make your symptoms worse. Take a look at what tends to cause outbreaks for you and to prevent such things.
  • Protect your face.The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen with anSPFof, at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Re-apply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or perspiring. People with rosacea may benefit from the selection of sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide, zinc or both. These are the so-called mineral based sunscreens or physical sunscreens. Examples include Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Protection, La Roche-Posay Tinted Mineral, and others. Or search for products with silicone, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. Apply your sunscreen after any type of medication to your face and before applying makeup, if you use it. Take other measures to protect your face, such as the use of a hat, and avoid the midday sun. Cold, windy, use a scarf or a ski mask.
  • Treat your skin gently.Do not rub or touch your face too much. The use of a nonsoap cleanser twice a day and moisturize. Some face creams can help reduce the redness. Products for the face, which contain acid, azelaic acid, dicarboxylic or niacinamide can help with the symptoms of rosacea. These products are available without a prescription. Choose fragrance-free products, and to avoid those that contain skin irritants such as alcohol, camphor, urea and menthol.
  • Reduce facial symptoms with the makeup. Some makeup products can help reduce the redness of the face is common with rosacea. For example, the green color of makeup can help cover up the red color. Avoid the consumption of alcohol-based gels and lotions fine.

Protect your face. The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Re-apply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

People with rosacea may benefit from the selection of sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide, zinc or both. These are the so-called mineral based sunscreens or physical sunscreens. Examples include Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Zinc Oxide Protection, La Roche-Posay Tinted Mineral, and others. Or search for products with silicone, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone.

Apply your sunscreen after any type of medication to your face and before applying makeup, if you use it.

Take other measures to protect your face, such as the use of a hat, and avoid the midday sun. Cold, windy, use a scarf or a ski mask.

Treat your skin gently. Do not rub or touch your face too much. The use of a nonsoap cleanser twice a day and moisturize. Some face creams can help reduce the redness. Products for the face, which contain acid, azelaic acid, dicarboxylic or niacinamide can help with the symptoms of rosacea. These products are available without a prescription.

Choose fragrance-free products, and to avoid those that contain skin irritants such as alcohol, camphor, urea and menthol.

Alternative medicine

Gently massage your face daily can help to relieve the symptoms of rosacea. With your fingers, making small circles starting in the center of the face and working for the ears. Do this for a couple of minutes.

If stress seems to make your symptoms worse, try stress management methods. Examples are the deep breathing and meditation.

Coping and support

Rosacea can be distressing. You may feel embarrassed or worried about how your face looks and become withdrawn or self-conscious. Or you may be annoyed by the reaction of other people. It can help to talk with a counselor about these feelings. It can also help you find a rosacea support group, either in person or online. You can find comfort in connecting with other people who face the same kind of problems.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing a member of your primary care team. Or you may be referred to a specialist in diseases of the skin, it is called a dermatologist. If your condition affects your eyes, you may be referred to an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist.

It is a good idea to prepare for your appointment. Here's some information to help.

What you can do

Prepare a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment time. For rosacea, some basic questions are:

  • What could be causing the symptoms?
  • I need to have tests to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • Is this condition disappears or is that to long-term?
  • There is a generic version of the medicine you're prescribing?
  • I have other medical problems. How can I manage together?
  • Can't wait to see if the condition clears up on its own?
  • What other treatments are there?
  • What skin care routine do you suggest for me?

Ask any other questions that arise during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Prepare to answer questions like these:

  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • How often do you have these symptoms?
  • The symptoms been, without scales, or come and go?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it seems to cause or worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Rosacea