Fact Sheets: Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition affecting the faces of both men and women.

The signs include: some or all of the following, together or separately:

  • A rash affecting the centre of the face and possibly spreading to involve the chin, cheeks and forehead.

  • Crops of spots and red papules. (Absence of blackheads)

  • Dilated capillaries and/or diffuse redness

  • Tingling, prickly sensation

  • The tendency to flush can eventually leads to persistent redness.

What causes Rosacea?

The cause is not known. It may be a defect of the blood vessels in the skin. Demodex mites (we all have them and they live within the hair follicles) are implicated according to research.

Some sources cite gut bacteria as a possible contributing factor.

Women are more prone than men. (but men are more likely to get thickening of the skin over the nose -‘rhinophyma’) Fair skin and a tendency to flush are risk factors. It is not infectious. Exacerbating factors include sun exposure, alcohol. extremes of temperature, sunlight, spicy food, stress.

The symptoms

Stinging and sensitivity, burning and flushing.

If EYES become affected, Consult your Dr. They may feel gritty and itchy, sore and sensitive to light. This may become Rosacea Keratitis and can affect vision.

It used to be thought that ROSACEA started in middle age but increasingly young people are also reporting the condition. Central redness deepens and may become persistent. Papules and spots come and go. Telangiectasia or dilated capillaries emerge. These are sometimes called “thread veins”. The face may become swollen and puffy, especially around eyes. The nose (especially in men) can become enlarged, red and bulbous as a result of over activity in sebacious glands. This is called “Rhinophyma”.

The Effects of Rosacea

Anxiety and Depression are clearly possible results as embarrassment and social isolation occur. Pain and discomfort. Eye complications (see above)

Diagnosis

Rosacea is diagnosed by sight. It differs from acne in that the skin is not greasy and blackheads and scarring are not usual.

Treatment

Topical: Skin barrier preservation is first line including the use of light cleansers and moisturisers that don’t strip the surface of the skin or clog the pores. This involves trial and error, changing one thing at a time and allowing enough time between changes of product for the effects to be apparent. Keeping a diary is essential for this process I would offer. Prescribed topical medications might include Fungicidal or antibacterial preparations.

Systemic: Antibiotics may be prescribed. Sometimes different ones are tried sequentially to find one that helps. Newer preparations are available which reduce the redness from dilated capillaries.

Acne medication is sometimes tried as are beta-blockers.

SUPPORT GROUPS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rosaceaclub/

ELECTROLYSIS may be useful in treating the TELANGIECTASIA associated with Rosacea. A sterile probe is used to ‘touch’ and cauterise each tiny vessel. A small stinging sensation is felt and the vessel(s) disappear, forming unobtrusive healing crusts which will fall away naturally Repeat treatments are usually required