What You Need to Know About Rosacea

If your face remains red even though you aren’t blushing, you may have rosacea.

What exactly is rosacea, and is there anything you can do to treat it? Here is what you need to know about rosacea:

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. It can produce small, red, pus-filled bumps on your skin. It also typically only affects the skin on your forehead, nose, and cheeks. Over 3 million Canadians are affected by this skin condition.

Types of Rosacea

Rosacea can affect you in different ways. There are four subtypes. Each one also has its own set of symptoms, and you may have more than one subtype of rosacea at a time. Here are the following types:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) – This causes visible clusters of blood vessels, as well as skin redness and warmth.
• Papulopustular rosacea – Also known as acne rosacea, this manifests in acne-like breakouts with swelling, pus-filled bumps called pustules, and skin redness. This type often affects middle-aged women.
• Phymatous rosacea. This causes thickened facial skin, as well as an enlarged, bulbous nose. It typically affects men and is usually accompanied by another rosacea subtype.
• Ocular rosacea. This causes inflammation of your eyes and eyelids. It can cause dryness, irritation, redness of the eyes, and may impact your vision.

Causes of Rosacea

Surprisingly, the causes of this skin condition are still unknown. As far as can be determined, rosacea is thought to be caused by a combination of the following factors:

• Genes

Individuals with rosacea often have family members who have the same condition, suggesting that there could be a genetic or inherited component.

There are several genes in a family called the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex thought to be related to rosacea. The HLA complex assists your immune system in differentiating your body’s proteins from proteins created by foreign invaders. Each gene has many variations, which allows your immune system to react to a wide range of foreign proteins. Specific variations likely contribute to abnormal inflammation.

• Abnormalities in the Blood Vessels and Inflammation

Rosacea might be due to abnormalities in the blood vessels in your face. The blood vessels are dilating too quickly, which can cause flushing and redness of your skin.

Additionally, this skin condition is associated with abnormal inflammation. While inflammation is a normal response of your immune system against injury and foreign invaders like bacteria, abnormal inflammation can impair your skin’s ability to serve as a protective barrier for your body.

A combination of these abnormalities and a disruption of the skin barrier indicate the signs and symptoms of rosacea.

• Demodex folliculorum

Scientists have also considered Demodex folliculorum to be a potential cause of rosacea. This is a type of mite that lives predominantly within the hair follicles on human skin. It feeds on dead skin cells and sebum, and is usually not harmful.

Many studies found that individuals with rosacea have large numbers of D. folliculorum on their skin. However, they also appear abundantly on people who don’t have this condition. It is unclear whether the mites cause said skin disease or if rosacea causes the increase in mites.

• Helicobacter pylori

Previously known as Campylobacter pylori, Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can enter your body and live in your digestive tract. It is one of the major causes of gastrointestinal ulcers, chronic gastritis, and gastric cancer. It could also play a role in the development of rosacea.

Some studies suggest that these gut bacteria can raise the amount of gastrin, a digestive hormone that might cause your skin to look flushed. However, scientists can’t prove that H. pylori causes rosacea since many individuals who don’t have the skin condition have an H. pylori infection.

Symptoms of Rosacea

While the symptoms and signs of rosacea can differ considerably from one individual to another, the following tend to be present in most cases:

• Eye Irritation

You may have bloodshot, irritated, or watery eyes if you have rosacea. Your eyelids can become red and swollen, and it’s also common to develop styes. You might notice visible blood vessels around the lid. Extreme cases can result in corneal damage and loss of clear vision without medical assistance.

• Flushing

Flushing or frequent blushing occurs when your face temporarily darkens. It can start from the front of the head and spread down to the neck and chest. The skin might also feel unpleasantly hot as the warmth or burning comes and goes. It’s usually an early feature of the skin condition.

• Persistent Skin Discolouration

Persistent skin discolouration refers to a flushed or sunburnt look that doesn’t seem to go away. It happens when hundreds of small blood vessels near the surface of the skin expand. It’s also the most common symptom of rosacea.

• Skin Bumps and Pimples

Small, red, acne-like bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop on the face. Although they can resemble acne, there are no blackheads, and burning or stinging can occur.

• Skin Thickening

Due to excess tissue, the skin may enlarge and thicken. It usually involves the nose and can cause rhinophyma. This condition is less common and affects males more than females. If severe, it can lead to inadequate nasal airflow and facial disfigurement.

• Visible Blood Vessels

Telangiectasia is a condition in which visible tiny blood vessels cause prominent red threadlike lines or patterns on the skin. These are prominent among many people with rosacea. They usually affect the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and other central parts of the face.

Treatments for Rosacea

Unfortunately, this skin condition is not curable, but you can manage the symptoms by using various remedies. Here are some of the best possible treatment options for rosacea:

• Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics can have anti-inflammatory effects, and they tend to give faster results compared to topical ones.

Tetracyclines can help if you’re experiencing eye symptoms. Meanwhile, Doxycycline can help improve blurred vision, dryness, itching, and sensitivity to light in people with ocular rosacea.

• Eye Drops

Eye drops can also relieve eye symptoms that happen in ocular rosacea.

• Isotretinoin

Accutane or Isotretinoin is an oral medication that people can use in severe cases of rosacea. It’s a powerful drug that prevents the skin from making oil.

Take note that the side effects can be severe, and this is unhelpful for people with ETR rosacea.

• Laser Treatment

Dermatologists can administer laser treatment to lessen the visibility of blood vessels. This treatment shrinks them with the use of intense pulsed light.

• Skin Creams

Using skin creams can help lessen skin discolouration and inflammation. Doctors might recommend using them once or twice per day. They may also prescribe camouflage creams that can cover blemishes on your skin.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects lots of people. While it doesn’t have a cure, it’s not something that should scare you. If you do have it, learning to properly manage and treat its symptoms will significantly reduce its effect on your life.

If you’re looking to resolve your concerns regarding rosacea, look no further than EM Clinic. Our team of professionals can provide you with a customized treatment that is sure to help. You can contact us by calling (519) 668-7449 or email us at info@emclinicandspa.com.