Rosacea is a skin disorder that’s fairly common. It causes excess redness on the face and can lead to blood vessels swelling and the presence of small bumps. Most people with rosacea experience a worsening of symptoms that lasts for weeks or months and then goes away for a while.
Rosacea can resemble acne or general skin irritation. It can be efficiently treated with medications and skin care, as well as avoiding symptom triggers
Common symptoms of rosacea include:
If any of these symptoms are ongoing, seeing a skin specialist(dermatologist)can help you determine if you’re dealing with rosacea.
What causes rosacea isn’t exactly known. It is not caused by poor hygiene. Things it could be caused by are a hyperactive immune system, exposure to irritants in daily life, and genetics.
Common aggravators of rosacea that cause symptoms to get worse include alcohol, temperature extremes, sun, wind, spicy food, exercise, stress, certain cosmetic products, and drugs that cause blood vessels to widen.
Risk factors for rosacea include having skin that burns easily, having a history of smoking, family history of rosacea, and being between ages 30 and 50.
If your doctor suspects you have rosacea, they will closely examine your skin and may do tests to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms. They’ll ask you about recent symptoms and family medical history. You may also see an eye doctor if your rosacea involves your eyes. Once other conditions have been ruled out, your doctor can make a diagnosis.
There are no known complications of rosacea.
Treatment for rosacea typically starts with at-home management. This includes identifying what brings on symptoms and avoiding those things as much as possible, wearing high-SPF sunscreen, using gentle products on your skin, and using makeup that’s designed to reduce redness.
If at home remedies aren’t working, you can use prescription strength gel to reduce redness, oral antibiotics, and oral anti-acne medicine. Laser treatment is also a popular way to reduce the effects of rosacea. It’s worth noting that laser treatment targets enlarged veins, which are more visible on light skin tones. For this reason, people with darker skin tones may not enjoy the same benefits of laser treatment for rosacea. Discuss which treatment options are best for your rosacea with your doctor.