Archive for the ‘Rosacea Basics’ category

Rosacea Triggers

November 12th, 2009

The term “rosacea triggers” describes anything that leads to the emergence of or to an increase of the symptoms of rosacea. This open definition takes in the wide variety of unique conditions that people experience that cause their rosacea symptoms to flare up.

While there is a large variety of rosacea triggers, it’s clear to see there is a common theme in many of the triggers: heat. This comes in many different forms, such as:

Sun Exposure. Heat from the sun is a huge trigger for many people, and obviously something that is hard to manage when you live in the real world. For this reason, it’s often suggested to wear sunscreen lotion (SP30+) along with a hat when outdoors.

Spicy Foods. This is a tough one, as the taste for spicy food does not concede to the logic that it acts as a rosacea trigger!

Hot Drinks. Hot drinks such as coffee or hot tea are common triggers.

Hot Water. Taking a shower with water that’s too hot is another common trigger. Additionally, and in the same aspect, heated pools and hot tubs are also included in this category.

Intense Exercise. This trigger is an interesting one. At first glance it’s puzzling but it makes sense. Performing intense cardiovascular exercise or lifting weights can heat up the body. This heat in turn then acts as a trigger.

Stress. Stress is an underrated rosacea trigger. It’s one of the most common triggers yet the hardest to treat, as it’s not simply a case of avoiding this or that, but rather, changing how a person interacts with their emotions and their environment. Second to sun exposure, this is the most common rosacea trigger.

Wind and Cold Weather. At the other side of sun exposure, being exposed to windy conditions or, separate from this or in combination to it, cold weather, functions as a trigger.

Alcoholic Beverages. Along with spicy foods, this is another tough one, as alcohol is another common trigger.

Misc Triggers: Many more than what’s above, including diverse things such as vegetables, dairy products, marinated meats, cosmetics, skin care products, medication, and even sex, which perhaps acts as a trigger in the same was exercise can act as a trigger.

Unmasking ones own triggers is a crucial part of taking responsibility over ones skin condition and overall health if you have rosacea. Many dermatologists recommend a simple method of having a notepad or journal handy for jotting down some basic details of when you have a rosacea flareup, noting what you were doing, describing the symptoms experience, a description of their intensity, and any relevant environmental conditions or situation details that may act to bring on your symptoms. Over time, and in combination with what is already known about rosacea triggers in general, this information can help detect simple patterns that reveal an individuals own rosacea triggers.

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Rosacea Symptoms

October 28th, 2009

Rosacea symptoms vary but all typically relate to facial redness and a discomfort of the skin on the face and neck. While there are 4 identified types of rosacea, as well as a handful of variant rosacea subsets, the symptoms experienced by people diagnosed with one type or another often cross over between one another.

Below you will find a a list of eight of the most common symptoms that are associated with rosacea. This includes the most commonly associated symptoms of rosacea, but beware that it is not all inclusive, as individuals may experience additional related symptoms of rosacea not included here.

1. Facial Flushing
2. Facial Redness (Erythema)
3. Visible Blood Vessels
4. Increased Facial sensitivity
5. Papules and Pustules (red bumps and rep bumps with pus, respectively)
6. Burning and Itchy Sensations on the Face and Neck
7. Dryness and Itchiness in the Eyes and Eyelies
8. Rhinophyma (An enflammed and enlarged nose, most common in males)

Those diagnosed with rosacea typically will not experience all these smyptoms, and the amount and degree to which the symptoms are experience vary wildly. (Out of the approximately 40 million people worldwide who suffer from rosacea, the majority of these individuals only suffer from mild rosacea symptoms.) Additionally, you will find that the 4 different types of rosacea that have been identified each map to specific symptoms more so than others. (See Types of Rosacea.)

Facial flushing and facial redness (erythema) tends to be the most commonly associated symptoms – and indicators -  of rosacea. Those experiencing nearly any of the other symptoms 3-8 typically suffer from facial flushing and redness as a result of the said symptom, such as the visibility of blood vessels on the face, which increases the appearance of facial redness.

Individuals experiencing the symptoms above would be well advised to see a doctor and have a diagnosis made on their condition in order to begin rosacea treatment. It is important to not confuse acne and rosacea with the papules and pustules ( symptom number 5 above), leaving rosacea both undiagnosed and improperly treated.

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Types of Rosacea

October 25th, 2009

The term rosacea is used to describe a set of symptoms related to facial redness and red bumps that are often misinterpreted as acne.

(Note: Acne and rosacea are two different conditions, and although related, are not the same. For more information, see Rosacea and Acne.)

Actually, the term includes different types, or variants, of rosacea. In this article we’ll take a look at these different types of rosacea.

1. Ocular Rosacea. The term ocular refers to the eyes. Ocular rosacea is a subset of rosacea where the symptoms are most present in the eyes (and the eyelids) of the patient. This typically means the person experiences persistent irritation in the eyes, along with dryness and redness. Additionally, this may also include itching and burning sensations as well.

2. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea. The first word here is a mouthful but take a closer look and you may notice that it includes a more common term often familiar to those with rosacea: erythema. Erythema describes the condition of permanent (or near permanent) redness of the skin. For patients with this type of rosacea, the prominent symptom is facial redness, which is overall one of the most common symptoms of rosacea. Sometimes Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea is also marked with visible blood vessels on the surface.

3. Phymatous Rosacea. This type of rosacea is one of the more well known even though people aren’t aware of the actual name for it. It is most often associated with what’s known as “rhinophyma”, or, more simply, a large, bulb-shaped and red nose. Unlike most types of rosacea, phymatous rosacea is largely more common in men than it is in women. While it’s cause remains unknown, the theory that it’s related to high alcohol consumption is a myth. This is one of the more rare types of rosacea.

4. Papulopustular Rosacea. This symptoms of this type of rosacea is often incorrectly confused as bad acne. This is because this type of rosacea leads to the formation of what’s called papules and pustules on the face – red bumps, including red bumps containing pus.

The different types of rosacea that have been identified point to the suggestion that there may be different causes and conditions that lead to their development. It is not yet been positively identified or agreed upon as to what causes rosacea to develop in a person, although a number of theories abound, including genetics and a history of rosacea in the family, the presence of certain peptides, certain intestinal bacteria types, and the high presence demodex mites.

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What is Rosacea?

October 24th, 2009

Rosacea is one of the most common skin problems people experience, yet it is a relatively obscure term that most people are not familiar with.

In the simplest of terms, rosacea (pronounced ro-ZAY-shuh), describes a subset of symptoms wherein which the patient experiences redness and facial discomfort. This can includes the presences of acne-like red bumps, dry eyes, itchy sensations on the skin of the face and neck, burning sensations on the skin of the face and neck, an enlargement of the nose, and permanent facial redness. The aforementioned symptoms describe the 4 different types of rosacea that have currently been identified.

Rosacea is estimated to effect about 40 million people worldwide. It is by far more common in women in men, with the exception of  Phymatous Rosacea, which is more often seen in men than women.

Furthermore, those with rosacea tend to fall into one subset of the population more than any other; that of caucasian or fair skinned women between the ages of 25 and 50, whose ancestry goes back to Europe.

Scientists have not yet determined or identified a single cause for rosacea. Furthermore, there are 4 different types of rosacea identified thus far and a number of variants.

There is no cure for rosacea, but most people are able to keep their rosacea symptoms under control by a combination of different rosacea treatment types along with a lifestyle that avoids irritating or bringing on their symptoms (this is known as “rosacea triggers“).

Many people only suffer from a mild form of rosacea. This often leads to it being confused with simple acne and being left both undiagnosed and under treated or improperly treated.

Rosacea treatment is a “dance” that many patients have to partner with for life. Symptoms retreat and treatments decline, and then come back, and treatments decrease. This is often considered normal and is expected to happen as part of the treatment plan.

Treatments for rosacea typically start with antibiotics and move on to other types of prescription medications from there. Additionally, there are a number of over the counter rosacea medicines, and also treatments that are seen as natural or herbal treatments. Increasingly, laser treatments are also a popular and viable method for reducing the symptoms of rosacea.

It is important to see a doctor and have a diagnosis and treatment plan devised if you suspect you have rosacea. As with any medical condition, starting treatments at an early stage usually translates into better, more effective results at keeping the rosacea condition under control.

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