Rosacea – Symptoms and causes

Rosacea is a common skin condition that can result in the redness and visibility of blood vessels on the skin of the face. Some of these symptoms are akin to those that occur with acne, and this can result in rosacea often being misdiagnosed as acne. In extreme cases, rosacea can also cause small, red bumps on the skin.

Some of the symptoms of rosacea include:

Facial redness: The redness and visibility of small blood vessels usually occurs on the face, around the nose and cheeks.
Swollen red bumps: People with rosacea can also develop small red bumps that like look like pimples, and may contain pus. They also cause the skin to feel hot and tender.
Eye problems: Apart from the skin, rosacea can also cause discomfort in the eyes due to irritation, dryness, and the swelling and reddening of the eyelids.
Enlarged nose: There have been some instances where an outbreak of rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose as well.

Although there is more research that is pending in this area, Genetics have been defined as one of the causes that might lead to rosacea. Having a family history of rosacea increases a person’s chances of developing the condition with age. Although the contraction of rosacea cannot be prevented, there are certain changes that a person can undertake in order to prevent the frequent flare up of the condition. Some of these changes include:

Staying protected from the sun: Applying a sunscreen with a high SPF count, wearing a wide brimmed hat, and avoiding the afternoon sun wherever possible.
Controlling stress: Stress can be a trigger for rosacea flare up’s in some people. By controlling the level of stress that is undertaken, flare ups can be prevented.
Prevent yourself from getting overheated: By taking cool showers, not wearing clothes that are too tight, and staying away from indoor heat sources.
Avoid hot drinks: Hot beverages have been shown to cause an exacerbation of rosacea, and by simply replacing your hot beverages with cold ones you can ensure that your flare ups are not triggered as often.

Rosacea can occur in anyone, be it men or women, depending on their sensitivity to the triggers that can cause a flare up. However, research as shown that the most common demographic that suffers with rosacea are middle aged women with fair skin. As it stands, there is no treatment or medication that completely cures rosacea. But, through lifestyle modifications, and the avoidance of triggers, the symptoms of rosacea can be kept dormant. Some of the most common lifestyle and environmental triggers include: Exposure to the sun, physical and mental stress, hot drinks, alcohol, and certain skin care products. The primary form of treatment for the prevention of rosacea flare ups include the use of medications that reduce redness in the skin, oral antibiotics, Isotretinoin, and in some cases even laser therapy.

Those with rosacea should be aware of how their daily skin care is compatible with the condition. Some ways in which your skincare routine can be modified in order to prevent a flare up, include: