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Rosacea is a skin condition that affects the face. Typical symptoms include redness, inflammation, pimples or pustules, burning or stinging sensations, and in one severe type of rosacea, itchy, bloodshot eyes and a red, lobulated nose. Sometimes it can affect the neck, ears, and chest as well. Commonly, it is confused with acne, but it usually affects people in their thirties, forties, and fifties.

When we look into a mirror, we want to be pleased with who we see. How we look affects how we feel about ourselves. As you can imagine, people who suffer physically from rosacea also suffer socially. They tend to do activities by themselves, and loss of work, social activity, or school is common. Feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness are also a problem.

There are theories as to the cause of rosacea. Heredity is certainly a factor, and people of Celtic or European descent more commonly have it than people of other ethnic origins. Demodex folliculorum, a type of mite that lives in our hair follicles, could also be a cause. These mites clog oil glands, which could cause the inflammation associated with rosacea. Interestingly enough, a bacteria in the digestive system of all places may be a culprit. Overgrowth of these bacteria may cause the immune system to react adversely to the delicate blood vessels in the face, causing them to be inflamed. Other triggers include exposure of the skin to heat, excessive cleansing, strenuous exercise, and drinking hot or alcoholic beverages.

Although there are no cures for rosacea, there are many methods that can control rosacea. For very mild cases, it can be a case of simply covering it with makeup, avoiding the triggers that cause flare-ups, or using a calming cream to soothe the redness. There are many different creams and cleansing systems on the market, and since each person's case is different, it's often a matter of trying different ones to see what works. For more severe cases, however, prescription medications and topical antibiotics are the first method that dermatologists prefer. Finally, laser_therapy and intense pulse light therapy are also excellent options. For all cases of rosacea, it is recommended that the cleansing of the affected area be done very, very gently so as not to acerbate the inflammation.

Laser skin therapy and Intense Pulse Light (IPS) therapy work well because they target the capillaries under the skin. The light heats up the capillaries to 70 C (158 F) to destroy them, then the body naturally reabsorbs them. Several sessions are needed to get results, but very often, patients who receive this treatment do not have further problems and need only seldom future treatments to maintain their skin's clarity. The lasers can also be used to eliminate the damaged tissue that very severe rosacea causes. Because laser and IPS therapy works well for the redness, dermatologists recommend that patients continue taking medications in order to control the pimples and pustules. For extreme cases where disfigurement has occurred, especially to the nose, cosmetic surgery can sometimes correct it.

Be aware that each case of rosacea is different. Get treatment from a qualified dermatologist early so that the rosacea does not worsen. People don't have to hide in their homes due to low self-esteem from rosacea. With the right advice, they can go out into the world with confidence.

Learn more about this author, Doreen Martel.
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