Suffering from rosacea can leave many people in disarray on how to best treat this condition. Rejuve-Skin takes a look at the treatment options available and how you can help reduce the appearance of this common condition.
Rosacea is much more common than you think. For many people, the sudden onset of rosacea can leave them wondering what can be done to alleviate this skin inflammation, which can leave sufferers feeling self-conscious and low.
Commonly affecting those of fair skin, rosacea can appear as a red angry rash on the face and for some may be a very persistent and noticeable problem. The condition often begins between the ages of 30 and 60 and is assumed to be caused by a range of factors including environmental, vascular, genetics, and inflammatory reasons. Skin that has been overly exposed to the sun has also been suggested to cause signs of rosacea.
According to the National Rosacea Society, the exact cause for the condition is unknown and there is no exact cure. However, help is available to control the signs and symptoms of this skin disorder. Any one of the following warning signs is a signal to get expert advice and diagnosis for the appropriate treatment before the disorder becomes increasingly worst.
According to the Skin Institute symptoms can include:
Frequent blushing or flushing
Pimples/red papules and/or pustules
Visible veins
Bulbous swelling of the nose
Dry and flaky facial skin
Aggravation by sun exposure and hot spicy food and drink
Sensitive skin: burning and stinging, especially in reaction to make-up, sunscreens, and other facial creams
Enlarged unshapely nose with prominent pores (sebaceous hyperplasia) and fibrous thickening (rhinophyma)
Other symptoms can also include:
Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead.
Small visible blood vessels on the face.
Bumps or pimples on the face.
Watery or irritated eyes
Acne Vs Rosacea – how to tell the difference?
Often mistaken for acne this common chronic skin inflammation can start to rear its little redness and irritation during the wintertime.
Research has proven that rosacea can get worse over time, producing redness that can become bumpy and last for longer periods. Visibly broken blood vessels may also show on the face
If left untreated, rosacea can lead to increasing bumps and even pimples can appear. This is the reason many sufferers mistake rosacea for acne. Sadly in severe cases, it can damage the tissue, particularly of the nose, leaving bumpy excess tissue to grow.
Triggers – what are the indications I have Rosacea?
Rosacea can be triggered from a range of situations, with many people noticing that blushing can also bring on an onset of Rosacea.
Spicy foods
Exercise
Saunas/steam rooms
Hot showers or baths
Alcohol
Stress
Medications
Emotional disruption
Harsh facial creams
Dietary choices
Compromised immune system
Inflammation in the body
Treatments – what can help Rosacea?
The great news is; the quicker you seek professional advice the better. Topical and oral treatments are available to help bring the condition under control. LED - Light therapy and IPL treatments can also help remove obvious blood vessels on the face and help correct lumps and bumps caused by the condition. With all rosacea cases, it’s paramount your skin-care routine is non-abrasive or harsh. This can only escalate the problem and leave you with red, sore, and irritated skin. For this reason, it’s vital to seek professional help. Many rosacea patients will incorrectly self-diagnose with acne and can irritate the skin further by using harsh, drying acne chemicals on the face.
With all rosacea cases knowing your triggers is key. Some sufferers will notice different triggers than others. Keeping a diary is also a great way to check what foods could be triggering this inflammation and taking steps to remove or greatly reduce these in your diet will assist in your overall treatment plan. Also note any other triggers such as exercise, or other events that may lead to a flare-up. Having this information will allow you to better understand and treat your rosacea.
It’s also important to ensure you are using a good quality, gentle, and light-in-oil sunscreen, even in wintertime. Also, check the ingredients in your make-up, water-based is always best. Covering up rosacea is an easy process but some ingredients could increase the problem and aggravate your skin. Avoiding oil-based face creams is also advised.