Rosacea

Rosacea or acne rosacea is a persistent and chronic skin condition which causes flushing or redness on the face.

Facial redness (facial erythema) on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead are mostly accompanied by a slight swelling and burning feeling. It can occasionally extend to the skin on the neck, chest, ears and scalp areas. Rosacea commonly affects people with fair skin. It typically occurs in women between the ages 30 and 60 though instances of rosacea in men are not uncommon. In some cases it affects women during menopause. Men often suffer from rhinophyma, which is the thickening of the skin on the nose making it swollen and bulbous.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, you are more likely to develop this harmless skin condition if:

You are fair-skinned
You blush easily
You are a woman (however, men with the condition are usually more severely affected)
You are between the ages of 30 and 50
Rosacea involves swelling of the blood vessels just under the skin. It may be associated with other skin disorders (acne vulgaris, seborrhea) or eye disorders (blepharitis, keratitis).

Symptoms

Redness of the face in discrete areas or covering the entire face
A tendency to flush or blush easily
Increased number of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face
A red, bulbous nose
Acne-like skin eruptions (may ooze or crust)
A burning or stinging sensation of the face
Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes

Signs and tests

Your physician can usually diagnose rosacea with a thorough medical history and physical exam.

Treatment

Laser Health Works suggested treatment:

Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen Elta MD every day.
Skin care line based on individual consultation
BBL Laser treatments
VBeam laser treatments

One of the major advancements in the treatment of rosacea has been the use of lasers and a non-laser light therapy called IPL (intense pulsed light) or Elos Aurora (combination of IPL and radiofrequency).

Treatments are spaced at least one month apart and typically require 3-6 treatments to achieve acceptable results. Most patients with moderate to severe rosacea will require top up treatments over the years.

Other helpful information to help with the condition:

Avoid prolonged exertion in hot weather.
Try to reduce stress. Try deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
Limit spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages.
Triggers vary from person to person. Other triggers may include wind, hot baths, cold weather, specific skin products, exercise, or other factors.
Antibiotics taken by mouth (such as tetracycline, minocycline, or doxycycline) or applied to the skin (such as metronidazole) may control skin eruptions. Other medications (isoretinol or Accutane), which are similar to vitamin A, are stronger alternatives that your doctor or dermatologist might consider. Rosacea is not acne and will not improve with over-the-counter acne treatment.