What Is Acne Rosacea – How To Treat And Prevent Rosacea?

What Is Acne Rosacea How To Treat And Prevent Rosacea? Rosacea is a common skin condition, especially among the fair-skinned people. It affects over 50 million people worldwide and 75 percent of Rosacea sufferers are women. Acne Rosacea is a chronic skin condition with no known cure affecting both the skin and the eyes. If affects the face, especially the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks / the areas that usually blush/. Rosacea is a facial eruption that consist of erythematous papules, pustules and telangiectasias / broken capillaries/.
Many people believe that Rosacea is just like Acne but it is basically different than acne – the presence of pimples, cysts, blackheads or whiteheads isn’t typical of Rosacea.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ACNE ROSACEA?

Persistent redness over the face
Enlarged blood vessels
Inflammation of the skin
Very small, red pimples and bumps
Enlarged, red nose / rhinophyma/
Burning and grittiness of the eyes
Appearance of red lines on the face
Visible blood vessels
Watery eyes
Flushing of the face
Appearance of pustules / pus spots/ and papules
Facial swelling
Red and swollen eyelids
Appearance of red spots
Itching
Blotchy, red patches
Burning sensations

Unlike Acne, Rosacea isn’t common problem for teenagers. Rosacea usually occurs between the ages of 30 to 50 years and affects primarily women with fair skin who flush easily but despite all it can occur at any age. Recent study shown that 75 percent of the Rosacea sufferers are women and 58 percent of them are Europeans, the study also shown that Rosacea is more severe in men than in women. Acne Rosacea affects commonly the face and less commonly the chest, neck and shoulders. It begins as redness and flushing on the cheeks, nose and forehead and if not treated properly it can cause more serious problems later in time like telangiectasia, papules, gritty eyes, rhynophyma. If Acne Rosacea isn’t treated in time the affected areas may become more inflamed with swelling, pus spots and broken capillaries.
Despite the skin Rosacea can also affect the eyes – this condition is called Ocular Rosacea, the eyes become irritated and appear bloodshot and watery. 45 percent of the Rosacea sufferers experience burning of the eyes.
Acne Rosacea can also affect different area of the body – ears, shoulders, chest, scalp, neck and back. The exact cause of Acne Rosacea is still unknown.

TYPES OF ROSACEA:

Pre-Rosacea – it is the first cardinal sign of Rosacea and is characterized by appearance of facial erythema and telangiectasias / enlarged blood vessels/ without inflammatory lesions. Pre-Rosacea usually doesn’t require any serious treatment. It’s common in people who blush easily.

Phymatous Rosacea – it’s common in middle-aged men who have had the condition for a long time. Phymatous Rosacea is characterized by growth of the nose, puffy cheeks, thickening of the skin and appearance of small blood vessels. Known also as Phynophyma Rosacea. This type of Rosacea is usually treated by surgery or by electrocantery.

Ocular Rosacea – type of Rosacea characterized by inflamed eyelids, bloodshot eyes, sensitivity to bright light, red and dry eyes, itching, burning sensations.

Pityriasis Rosacea – type of Rosacea most common in children and young adults. Characterized by reddish skin rash. This skin condition is usually mistaken for eczema or ringworm. The rash may appear on the face and neck and usually disappears within a few weeks to several months. Pityriasis Rosacea affects more females than males.

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Papulopustular Rosacea – characterized by pustules, papules, redness, presence of broken capillaries. It is often confused with acne as it resembles Acne Vulgaris.

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea – persistent flushing of the skin. Characterized by permanent redness, visible blood vessels, broken capillaries, itching sensations, roughness.

AVAILABLE TREATMENT FOR ROSACEA
Unfortunately there isn’t cure for Rosacea but it can be controlled with proper and early treatment. Rosacea treatment involves oral and topical treatments. Certain medications and creams are known to significantly improve the condition and to reduce inflammation.
Some oral antibiotics are prescribed to help treat Rosacea, these include tetracycline, doxycycline, monocycline, isotretinion / Accutane/. They are also known to help acne lesions, to reduce redness and swelling. All this oral treatments for Rosacea must be taken regularly as prescribed by your dermatologist to achieve best results.

Different face creams containing antibiotics, such as metronidazole, erythromycin, elindamycin are used to reduce the skin inflammation. All these antibiotic creams, lotions, toners, cleansers can be very effective in the early stage of the Rosacea. Such creams are:

Finacea Gel / Azelaic Acid Gel/ – a topical antibacterial gel with propylene glycol that treats lesions due to mild Rosacea. It helps to reduce the number of inflamed skin lesions.

Metrogel / with metronidazole/ – solution designed to control rosacea and improve the skin’s look by assisting in the reduction of inflammatory lesions and redness associated with all levels of rosacea.

Cleocin T Gel /clindamycin/ – topical clindamycin is used to help control acne and Rosacea. It helps to decrease the number of acne lesions and to reduce redness.

ILP or vascular lasers are used to treat Acne Vulgaris – they penetrate the epidermis and target the capillaries to damage them. LPL for example is preliminary used to reduce redness and decrease the number of the broken capillaries and red lines. Electrocantery / using an electric needle/ is widely used to treat telangiectasias / broken capillaries/.

HOW TO PREVENT ROSACEA

Avoid smoking, eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol as they all cause flushing.
Avoid excessive sun exposure especially during the summer months.
Stop rubbing or touching your face as it irritates the skin.
Limit the usage of makeup products as they can irritate your inflamed skin and aggravate the condition.
Don’t use products containing alcohol as it dries out the skin.
Always wear a sunscreen with SPF at least 25
Follow a gentle cleansing regimen and use only mild products / for sensitive skin/.
Never use harsh soaps.
Avoid saunas, solariums, hot showers.

FACTS ABOUT ACNE ROSACEA

Rosacea is frequently mistaken for acne or sunburn.
Rosacea is most common in fair-skinned people who blush easily.
Rosacea affects primarily the blush areas.
If not treated properly and at early stage Rosacea can last for years.
Rosacea doesn’t cause blackheads or whiteheads like acne.
45 percent of the Rosacea sufferers experience burning and grittiness of the eyes / type of Rosacea called ocular Rosacea/.
Rosacea always begins as a simple blush of the face.
Rosacea affects primarily people between the ages of 30 to 50 years.
Rosacea affects over 50 million people worldwide.
Rosacea is primarily a facial diagnosis.
Rosacea can cause significant psychological, occupational and social problems.
Rosacea affects primarily women.
Rosacea is more severe in men.
The symptoms of Rosacea are often associated with consumption of alcohol or spicy foods.
Rosacea is rarely found in children.
Rosacea is not contagious.
Rosacea often runs in families.
People with Rosacea may also have Acne Vulgaris.
Rosacea can be successfully treated if it is diagnosed on time.
Overexposure to sunlight can worsen Rosacea.
You can use mild cosmetic products to hide broken capillaries, redness or small rash.