Rosacea
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that usually only affects the face and eyes. Characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, rosacea tends to begin after middle age (between the ages of 30 and 60) and is more common in fair-skinned people. It is often mistaken for adult acne.
Photo Source Candela
Having Rosacea
People who have rosacea usually experience periods of flare-ups and periods of remission (the decrease or disappearance of symptoms). Rosacea causes a range of symptoms that may include redness, swelling, visible blood vessels, bumps or pimple-like blemishes and skin thickening.
Although rosacea is not life threatening, even mild symptoms can have a negative effect on quality of life. In recent surveys by the National Rosacea Society, nearly 70% of rosacea patients said this condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and 41% said it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.
There is no cure, but medical care is available to treat this inflammatory disorder, and help you get your life back to normal.
Cause Unknown
The cause of rosacea is unknown. An estimated 14 million people in the US have rosacea. Proper treatment by a caring dermatologist will help you manage your Rosacea. Knowing your Rosacea "triggers" and proper skin care goes a long way toward having skin that is calmer and less reactive.
View the National Rosacea Society website for comprehensive information on Rosacea.
Ocular Rosacea
About 50% of Rosacea suffers have eye symptoms which may include:
- redness
- burning
- tearing
- inflamed eyelids
- sensation of a foreign object in the eye
Medical Management of Rosacea
Treatment combinations may include oral and topical medications, Vbeam vascular laser and Diolite laser to target specific small broken vessels.
Most Rosacea patients use combination therapies for the most effective results. New oral medications are now available which are proving to be very helpful.
