Rosacea
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that usually affects the face. It’s characterised by flushed or irritated skin and pus-filled bumps. It’s often mistaken for acne, eczema or a skin allergy, and is not contagious. Statistics indicate that rosacea affects anywhere between 1% and 20% of people. However, it’s thought that true incidence may be higher, as the condition is often misdiagnosed when symptoms are mistaken for other conditions
Rosacea is more common in females, usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years, and is more common in people with fair skin, blond hair and blue eyes. While there is no cure for rosacea, effective treatments to manage the condition are available.
Symptoms and types of rosacea
There are four types of rosacea, each having its own set of symptoms. However, the tell-tale sign is flushed, red skin and pus-filled bumps. It’s possible to have more than one type of rosacea.
1. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR)
This is the most common type and is associated with redness, flushed skin and tiny broken blood vessels on the face that look like spider veins. Skin can be sensitive, dry and rough.
2. Papulopustular (or acne) rosacea
Most often affecting middle-aged women, this type resembles acne. Skin may also look oily and very red.
3. Phymatous rosacea
Characterised by a thickening of the skin on your nose, bumpy skin, and large pores, this type usually affects men and is often accompanied by another type of rosacea.
4. Ocular rosacea
This type of rosacea affects the eye area. Symptoms may include dry, irritated eyes, swollen eyes and eyelids, and sometimes blurred vision and sensitivity to light. As many as 50% of people with rosacea experience eye-related symptoms5.
What causes rosacea?
There is no known cause of rosacea but it’s believed to be triggered by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Many people with the condition have a close relative who also has rosacea. Some of the factors that can trigger rosacea or make symptoms worse include:
exposure to sunlight
hot weather or overheating, particularly in bed
exercise
hot baths or showers
stress and anxiety
alcohol
drinking hot beverages
eating spicy foods
foods containing the compound cinnamaldehyde (found in cinnamon, chocolate, tomatoes and citrus fruit)
the presence of an intestinal bacteria called Helicobacter pylori
some medications, especially those that dilate blood vessels such as blood pressure medications
some cosmetics and skin care products
Researchers also believe that some people with rosacea are particularly sensitive to a skin mite called Demodex folliculorum, which lives in the pores of the skin. When these mites die, they release bacteria into the skin which may trigger an immune reaction causing skin redness and inflammation. People with rosacea have been found to have more than four times more Demodex mites in their skin than people who don’t have the condition.
Keeping a journal about your symptoms may help you identify your triggers so you know which ones to avoid.
How do you treat rosacea?
As there is no cure for rosacea, treatment aims to minimise and manage symptoms. Without treatment, symptoms may get worse over time. Typical rosacea treatment may include:
creams and lotions to reduce skin inflammation and discolouration
OTC (over the counter) and prescription eyedrops to relieve optical rosacea symptoms
oral antibiotics to assist with inflammation and eye symptoms
strong acne drugs (which may cause some unwanted side-effects)
laser treatment to help reduce visible blood vessels or to remove thickened skin
Understanding and avoiding your triggers is also an important step in managing your rosacea symptoms.
When to visit your doctor
If you experience persistent redness on your face, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should visit your doctor. It’s important to determine if your symptoms are those related to rosacea, rather than other skin conditions, in order to receive the right treatment. You doctor may also refer you to a skin specialist called a dermatologist.
Left untreated, rosacea may get worse and lead to complications including conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane of the eye) and rhinophyma, which is a build-up of tissue on and around the nose as a result of enlarged sebaceous glands.
There are numerous factors that can trigger rosacea or exacerbate symptoms, including medication. At MediADVICE, our trained pharmacists are available to provide advice on treatment options and discuss prescribed medications with you. Ask us today about how we can help to care for the skin you’re in.