Rosacea
Rosacea
Key symptoms are facial redness with swollen red bumps and small visible blood vessels. If left untreated, the condition will tend to worsen over time. Currently there is no cure, but various treatments can assist with both controlling and calming the symptoms. We can also recommend very specific cosmeceutical products from either Genosys or Mesoestetic you can use at home in between treatment sessions.
5 common symptoms of rosacea.
- Flushing. You may see some of the characteristic redness of rosacea all the time or a red-faced appearance may seem to come and go. The redness may get worse when you get overheated, eat spicy food, drink a mug of hot coffee or tea, or go out in cold or windy weather. Flushing can also result after you apply a certain makeup or skin care product. The redness could be slight, you may even think that you have normal blushing that just seems to take longer to fade, but even if that’s the case, your blushing could be rosacea.
- Skin sensitivity. Another rosacea symptom is discomfort of the skin on the face. Warning signs could be a tight sensation on the face or even the sensation of heat on your skin. Skin care products, especially those containing high levels of alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, and eucalyptus, can irritate sensitive skin. Ultimately skin may feel painful.
- Pustules and papules. Bumps on the face that may be pus-filled are often a sign of rosacea. You might just write them off as a breakout or a case of adult acne, but you won’t see any of acne’s typical clogged pores, known as comedones or blackheads.
- Tiny, broken blood vessels. With repeated flushing, blood vessels can become dilated, most prominently on the cheeks and nose. These blood vessels could be thin enough that they’re barely visible, or simply dismissed as a normal part of aging.
- Changes in skin’s appearance. Rosacea symptoms can become more obvious if the condition advances unchecked. Common signs of rosacea that is progressing include a persistent, dark red color on parts of the face, swelling, and thickened skin.
In some people, eyes can become irritated, dry and swollen, which is known as ocular rosacea. These symptoms are sometimes visible before other symptoms occur.
What causes rosacea?
The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it could be due to an overactive immune system, heredity, environmental factors or a combination of these. Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it's not contagious.
Rosacea flare-ups can be triggered by:
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Hot drinks
- Exercise or heavy exertion
- Hot baths, saunas or hot yoga
- Hot weather
- Cold weather
- Humid weather
- Wind
- Sunlight
- Stress or anxiety
- Sudden change in emotion
- Certain cosmetic, skin or hair care products
- Medications, such as topical steroids, some blood pressure drugs, and some opiate painkillers
Who can develop rosacea?
Rosacea can affect anyone, however your risk factors increase if you:
- Most common in 30-50 year age bracket
- Fair-skinned, and often have blonde hair and blue eyes
- Likely to have someone in their family tree with rosacea or severe acne.
- Likely to have had lots of acne — or acne cysts and/or nodules.
- Like anything if you smoke or vape it doesn't help your skin
- Have light skin that is affected by sun damage.
Are there treatment options?
Thankfully there are ways to calm the symptoms, but remember there is currently no cure for rosacea and we recommend a full consultation to assess your particular condition and level of rosacea. From there we will recommend a treatment plan and likely prescribe a cosmeceutical product to help calm the condition.
In some cases antibiotics may be a way to go, and in this case we would recommend you consult your GP. Whilst antibiotics can be effective in managing flare ups, they are not generally recommended for long-term rosacea management.
