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When I was about 7 years old, I remember meeting an aunt I had never seen before. When my mom introduced us, I instantly became frightened of the woman who had red blotches and pimples all over her face. When I asked my mom about it later, she said that it was a skin disease called Rosacea.

Rosacea affects mostly women between the ages of 30 and 60. One in 20 Americans are faced with this affliction, making it a somewhat common disorder. Unfortunately the cause of Rosacea is unknown and there is no cure for it just yet. However, if you witness symptoms of it, it can be controlled. If you notice any of the following, seek medical attention from a dermatologist as soon as possible:

The emergence of small blood vessels in the face
Unusual redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead
An excess of bumps or pimples on the face
Abnormally watery or irritated eyes

The good news is that there are certain things you can do to help control Rosacea. An abundance of blood vessels on the surface of your skin is what can cause your face to flush and stay flushed for long periods of time. Your diet and lifestyle habits can have a direct affect on these blood vessels emerging. If you start to experience Rosacea related symptoms, it can be attributed to the following:

Sources of heat, such as hot beverages, water, too many layers of clothing and spicy food
Use of rubbing alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages in excess
Stress
Extreme weather conditions
Harsh soaps or exfoliating creams
Menopause
Excessive coughing

Many times foods like fruits, vegetables and others with fermented products high in histamine can also be a source of the problem, so avoid those as well.

There are other treatments your dermatologist might prescribe as well to aid you in controlling Rosacea. Oral tetracycline and Accutane are commonly used. In more mild cases, Metrogel, Cleocin-T, Azelex, sulfa and other similar creams or gels are recommended. Believe it or not, some cosmetics can even help out your situation while doing its best to camouflage it. When Rosacea affects the eyes, warm compresses will usually alleviate the redness.

If you believe you have this disorder, make an appointment with a dermatologist and try the control aids I recommended. Rosacea does not have to dictate your life by lowering your self-esteem and making you feel miserable. Take control and feel better about yourself.

Learn more about this author, Kelly A. Mello.
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