You've always longed for that healthy rosy glow, but this isn't what you had in mind. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects adults. It causes flushing and the appearance of tiny web-like blood vessels, often on the cheeks and nose.
Many people with rosacea don't realize they have it. It usually strikes adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and tends to affect those with lighter skin. Women get rosacea more often than men, but when men do get it, it's often more severe. Although bothersome, rosacea isn't life-threatening. And, treatment can help control this confidence-sapping skin disease.
Facial flushing and the spider-web pattern of dilated blood vessels (called telangiectases) are the hallmark symptoms of rosacea. Other symptoms include:
- Small red and pus-filled pimples
- Facial burning, tingling, itching
A rash or redness can also appear on the neck, chest and scalp.
About half the people with rosacea also have eye symptoms. Some people have only eye symptoms. Eye symptoms include:
- A rash around the eyes and on the eyelids
- Burning and the feeling that something is in the eye
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- Blurry vision
See your eye doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Rosacea can be confused with acne, which typically occurs in teenagers. But doctors can pinpoint unique characteristics of rosacea, such as the flushing and spider web-like appearance of blood vessels.
What causes rosacea?
No one knows what causes rosacea. Heredity and environment may play a role. It's thought that something causes inflammation of the blood vessels. What that is remains unknown. Theories suggest that the presence of a tiny skin mite, bacteria or an immune system problem may be to blame.
Alcohol use doesn't cause rosacea, but it can make it worse. Other triggers may include heat, spicy foods, caffeine, cold, sun exposure, stress or exercise and wind.
How is rosacea treated?
Rosacea isn't something you just have to live with, or try to hide. There are effective treatments for rosacea, including topical and oral medications.
Your doctor may start you on the topical form of an antibiotic called metronidazole (Metrogel). You put it on your face once or twice a day to reduce the swelling and redness. Other topical medications may include:
- Sulfacetamide/sulfur lotion (Sulfacet-R, Plexion TS, Rosula)
- Azelaic acid 20% cream (Azelex)
For more severe rosacea or if topical medications don't work, your doctor may start you on oral antibiotics. These include doxycycline, tetracycline or erythromycin.
If it still doesn't get better, your doctor may prescribe isotretinoin (Accutane). This is a powerful oral medication that's often used to treat acne. You will need close monitoring for side effects if you are taking acutane.
- NOTE: Accutane should never be taken if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Rhinophyma is tissue buildup around the nose due to enlarged blood vessels. It is a complication of more severe rosacea. If this is a problem for you, there are several treatment options to improve appearance and resculpt the skin:
- Light therapies. Laser and intense pulsed light therapy use focused energy to smooth the skin. Light surgery usually requires one to three treatments. Intense pulsed light therapy may require more sessions.
- Demoabrasion. The dermatologist uses a surgical tool to sand off the upper layers of the skin. The new skin that grows is smoother.
- Electrocautery. Uses the hot tip of an electrode to remove the top layers of skin.
Prevent rosacea outbreaks by identifying your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are:
- Sun exposure
- Saunas
- Emotional distress
- Wind
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
See your doctor if you think you have rosacea. The condition may get worse without treatment. Only your doctor can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe antibiotics or other medications to treat this condition.
