Rosacea 

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness on your face, commonly near your nose, cheeks, and forehead. It usually starts after age 30, but it can flare up throughout your life. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, around 5.5% of people globally live with rosacea. Though the cause is unknown, several triggers can develop rosacea, such as extreme sun exposure, climate changes, strenuous exercise, stress, and certain medications. Persistent redness and flushing of the face are classic symptoms of rosacea that may be aggravated due to increased blood flow to the skin. There is no definite cure, but the symptoms can be controlled by lifestyle changes, medications, laser therapy, or surgical intervention, depending on the type and severity of symptoms. 

This informative blog will explore rosacea, its types, causes, triggering factors, signs, symptoms, diagnostic aids, and effective treatment options. So read on!

Rosacea- What is it?

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by facial flushing and redness on your face (forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin) and other parts of your body, including your eyes, chest, ears, neck, and scalp. The condition often starts between the ages of 30 and 60. Rosacea is a lifelong condition with no definite cure. Treatment manages symptoms and prevents flare-ups! 

Unwinding The Types of Rosacea 

There are four types of rosacea, namely:

Erythematotelangiectatic 

• This chronic (long-lasting, persistent) type causes facial redness accompanied by enlarged and visible blood vessels.

Papulopustular 

• This type of rosacea is characterized by pus or fluid-filled pimples or whiteheads on your skin that swell and look like acne.

Phymatous 

• Here, your skin may appear swollen and bumpy, with symptoms making your nose appear bulbous (rhinophyma).

Ocular 

• This type of rosacea affects your eyes, causing them to be irritated, water, or bloodshot.
• Painful bumps can also develop on your eyelids (styes), making them extremely photosensitive (light-sensitive).

Exploring The Causes

Though the cause is unknown, some research studies conducted by several dermatologists (doctors specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails) suggest rosacea could be a symptom of:

Genetic Mutation

• Abnormal genetic mutation running in your family could play a role in the development of rosacea.
• You may suffer from rosacea if your parent, sibling, or a close relative has it.

Skin Mites 

• These are microscopic microorganisms that normally live in your skin.
• You may develop rosacea if your skin is extremely sensitive or has more of these mites, irritating it. 

Blood Vessel Abnormality 

• The facial redness and skin flushing could be due to inflammation in the blood vessels. 

An Infection

• The gut bacteria H. pylori stimulates the production of polypeptides that cause the blood vessels to dilate, resulting in rosacea. 

A Protein Malfunctioning

• A protein called “cathelicidin” protects your skin from infection. 
• Any malfunction of the protein can lead to infections, resulting in rosacea.

Rosacea Triggering Factors 

Several triggers can aggravate rosacea symptoms, resulting in flare-ups. These include:

• Increased sun exposure 
• Extreme temperature changes, either too hot or cold
• Chronic stress and anxiety
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Spicy foods, caffeine, and dairy products 
• Hot baths and saunas
• Specific skin and hair products in the form of lotions or hairspray
• Hormonal changes, especially during menopause
• Strenuous physical activities
• Certain medications like beta blockers, niacin (vitamin B3), and steroids 
• Acute medical conditions like cold, fever, or cough
• Chronic medical conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure)

Classical Signs of Rosacea 

The signs associated with rosacea may vary in intensity and from one person to another. However, you may always notice at least one of the following classical signs, such as:

Flushing

• This causes redness with episodes of remission and regression and is the earliest sign.

Persistent Redness 

• Facial redness may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not disappear easily.

Tiny Bumps and Pimples

• Small, solid, red, or pink bumps or pus-filled pimples develop on your skin, resembling acne. 
• A burning, itching, or stinging sensation may accompany this.

Visible Blood Vessels

• Small dilated blood vessels may look like thin, red lines branching out on your skin.

Symptoms of Rosacea 

You may experience certain symptoms of rosacea that may cause discomfort. These include:

Skin Thickening 

• Your skin may thicken and enlarge, resulting in a condition called rhinophyma.

Plaques 

• You may notice raised red patches or plaques that resemble a rash without any significant changes in the surrounding skin.

Facial Edema

• Swelling of your face can occur independently or with other signs of rosacea.

Dry Skin

• The skin on the affected areas of your face may be rough and appear dry and itchy.

Eye Irritation

• You may experience irritation, redness, and swelling in your eyes that may appear watery or bloodshot.
• If left untreated, it can result in corneal damage and vision loss.

Diagnosing Rosacea 

There are no clinical tests to diagnose rosacea, and your dermatologist can diagnose the skin condition through:

• Your symptoms 
• Your medical history to determine the presence of a family history of rosacea and analyze if any triggering factors are associated.
• A physical examination to evaluate your skin for redness, flushing, or edema. 

Treating Rosacea 

There is no definite cure for rosacea, but treatment may help manage the symptoms and prevent them from worsening. These include

Medications 

Topical Medicines 

• Applied directly to the skin, they help fight inflammation and/or kill bacteria.
• Examples include:
• Azelaic acid
• Clindamycin
• Erythromycin
• Metronidazole
• Oxymetazoline
• Sulfur antibiotics 

Oral Medicines 

• Isotretinoin is the most popular oral medication to treat rosacea.
• However, this is greatly contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Laser Treatment 

• A beam of laser light of a specific wavelength is targeted at the affected area to remove visible blood vessels and limit the amount of redness on your skin.

Dermabrasion

• This non-invasive cosmetic procedure uses a special hand-held derma roller to exfoliate the superficial layer of your skin.

Electrocautery 

• This procedure involves using an electric needle to wipe the damaged blood vessels.

Surgery

• Severe cases of rosacea, causing nose disfigurement, can be corrected through minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Bottom Line 

Rosacea is a common, harmless, inflammatory skin condition characterized by facial flushing, redness, skin thickening, and eye symptoms. Although there is no cure for rosacea, you can seek medical help from your dermatologist, who may recommend medications, laser therapy, or surgery to control the symptoms and prevent them from worsening. You may also get psychological relief from a mental health professional if rosacea symptoms result in low self-esteem and anxiety.