ROSACEA
Rosacea, is a common skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face. Often it is confused with adult acne, but it is an entirely different skin condition.
What causes rosacea? We are not sure of why some people get rosacea, but we feel that it is at least in part due to an abnormal sensitivity to a small organism on the face called a “demodex”. The sensitivity to this organism causes chronic inflammation on the face eventually leading to enlargement and weakening of the capillaries, allowing them to become visible. Early on, rosacea may begin as a tendency to “flush” more easily or more quickly after eating certain foods. Gradually, it progresses to form pus bumps and persistent redness and can lead to enlargement of sebaceous glands, particularly in the nose. While rosacea is nearly always confined to the face, it can occur rarely on other areas. Rosacea can involve the eye where its symptoms include a feeling like “sand” in the eyes.
Treatment. Treatment involves medications that decrease the numbers of the organisms called demodex on the face, or decreasing the redness associated with it. Sulfur based medications in the form of cleansers, creams and gels, as well as medications containing metronidazole (Metrocream/lotion/gel) are effective in decreasing the numbers of demodex. Oral antibiotics in the tetracycline family are good at decreasing the redness or inflammation associated with rosacea. Avoiding foods that trigger the flushing or that increase the redness such as hot drinks, hot spicy foods, and red wine help to control the symptoms. Patients with rosacea also have to be more careful with cleansers and make up as their face will turn red more easily than someone without rosacea. Sun screen use before sun exposure is also a must. Many patients may start out on both an oral and a topical medication, and as they learn what triggers their rosacea, may end up on only a topical cleanser or cream. Delaying treatment of rosacea causes more of the dilated blood vessels on the face (often referred to as “broken capillaries”) which will not go away with medical treatment and usually require a cosmetic laser procedure to clear.
These laser procedures, should be performed by a physician or under the direct supervision of a physician and not in a spa situation as there is a potential for burning and scarring to occur. Please select a dermatologist from this website to evaluate your particular case.