Rosacea....What it is and how we treat it.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It may appear as redness, prominent spider-like blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne.

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

There is no known cure for rosacea. The goal is to identify and avoid possible triggers, and thus reduce flare-ups. By keeping a symptom diary to identify the specific triggers you may have, you may be able to see a pattern of what makes your rosacea worse. Use this information to avoid future flare-ups.

Here are some steps that may help:

• Avoid sun exposure. Use sunscreen every day.
• 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.

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists have created the SOOTHE REGIMEN FOR SENSITIVE, IRRITATED SKIN AND FACIAL REDNESS

Where do you turn when your face can't take it anymore? Calm the flush-blush reaction of a hyper-sensitive complexion with SOOTHE. Clinically proven to reduce redness and irritation in as little as 5 minutes, SOOTHE helps interrupt the inflammatory cascade, strengthens skin’s natural moisture barrier, calms redness, and reduces irritation so that you can take comfort in having a healthy-looking complexion every day. The SOOTHE Regimen features 3 full-size products: Gentle Cream Wash 125 mL/4.2 Fl.Oz.; Sensitive Skin Treatment 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.; and UVA/UVB SPF 15 Sunscreen 50 mL/1.7 Fl.Oz.

In severe cases, laser surgery may help reduce the redness. Surgical reduction of enlarged nose tissue may also improve your appearance, if you so choose.

Expectations (prognosis)

Rosacea is not medically dangerous. It is not curable, but can usually be controlled with treatment. It may be persistent and chronic.

Complications

• Permanent changes in appearance (for example, a bulbous nose)
• Psychological damage, loss of self esteem