How to Treat Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that generally affects people over the age of 30. The main symptoms are red skin on the face and occasionally small bumps in affected areas. It is also know to cause a burning sensation for some people. While this skin condition is not life threatening, it can make sufferers uncomfortable in public. Those experiencing the symptoms should contact a professional for a Rosacea treatment in Northern NJ.
What Causes Rosacea?
While experts can agree on the symptoms and diagnose the condition, they are not exactly sure what causes it. It is clear that something irritates the skin and causes it to take on the rosy color from which it derives its name; however it isn’t clear exactly what this mystery irritant is. There is some evidence that shows rosacea is not caused by a bacterial infection. Further, it appears to be more common in those with lightly colored, fair skin and appears to be a genetic trait.
The actual redness that is seen in someone’s face is technically created when blood vessels in the face expand. There are a number of factors that can trigger these blood vessels to expand such as wind, change in weather, exercise, alcohol, or spicy food. While alcohol may trigger rosacea, it is not the cause for it as has previously been thought.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Rosacea is typically very easy for a health professional to identify. The pattern of redness on the face is usually fairly clear. Some of the symptoms include redness on the face that may include flushing and sensitive or dry skin. The affected areas may also burn or sting. Small, acne-like bumps may accompany the redness associated with rosacea but are not always present. The skin in the affected area may grow thicker and feel coarse, particularly if the condition is allowed to go untreated. Occasionally dry and irritated eyes with redness may be part of the condition. Contact a dermatologist if you think you may be experiencing these symptoms, as they will be able to identify rosacea easily.
If these symptoms are not treated they may worsen and leave the skin with a dry and coarse texture. Skin may become thicker over time and may even develop waxy patches if not treated. Rosacea is typically not a severe condition but in rare cases it can lead to skin disfigurement and even loss of vision.
Treatment of Rosacea
There is no cure at this time for rosacea but highly effective treatments are available. The right treatment will eliminate or control the effects of the condition for most people. Medications in pill form are often used to treat the redness that is associated with rosacea. Many dermatologists will prescribe simple antibiotics such as doxycycline to help control outbreaks. In addition to these oral medications, simple face creams with azelaic acid or metronidazole are often used to control the redness.
Another treatment for the redness symptom is called intense pulsed light or IPL. These treatments use pulsing lights and lasers to penetrate the skin and help control blood vessels that are expanding and causing redness.
The dryness that is commonly associated with rosacea can be treated with simple moisturizing lotions and creams. These are typically available over the counter but extreme cases may require stronger, prescription medications. When going in the sun, sunscreen is recommended with broad-spectrum protection to keep the sun from drying the skin and further triggering rosacea. There are a variety of sunscreens available that also have moisturizing elements in their ingredients.
Prevention is a key element to treating rosacea. Moisturizing skin regularly and taking care of it can go a long way toward helping to prevent rosacea from occurring or worsening. Washing irritants from your face a couple of times daily can help to prevent irritation and dryness. Also, knowing what triggers your rosacea and avoiding these factors is a key part of prevention. For example, if you often feel flushed after eating spicy foods, it would be a good idea to avoid these foods as they may trigger rosacea.
Rosacea can be an uncomfortable condition. The unsightly redness may make you feel less confident in social situations. If you are experiencing these symptoms associated with rosacea, contact a dermatologist and have them prescribe a plan to deal with the symptoms.
What Causes Rosacea?
While experts can agree on the symptoms and diagnose the condition, they are not exactly sure what causes it. It is clear that something irritates the skin and causes it to take on the rosy color from which it derives its name; however it isn’t clear exactly what this mystery irritant is. There is some evidence that shows rosacea is not caused by a bacterial infection. Further, it appears to be more common in those with lightly colored, fair skin and appears to be a genetic trait.
The actual redness that is seen in someone’s face is technically created when blood vessels in the face expand. There are a number of factors that can trigger these blood vessels to expand such as wind, change in weather, exercise, alcohol, or spicy food. While alcohol may trigger rosacea, it is not the cause for it as has previously been thought.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Rosacea is typically very easy for a health professional to identify. The pattern of redness on the face is usually fairly clear. Some of the symptoms include redness on the face that may include flushing and sensitive or dry skin. The affected areas may also burn or sting. Small, acne-like bumps may accompany the redness associated with rosacea but are not always present. The skin in the affected area may grow thicker and feel coarse, particularly if the condition is allowed to go untreated. Occasionally dry and irritated eyes with redness may be part of the condition. Contact a dermatologist if you think you may be experiencing these symptoms, as they will be able to identify rosacea easily.
If these symptoms are not treated they may worsen and leave the skin with a dry and coarse texture. Skin may become thicker over time and may even develop waxy patches if not treated. Rosacea is typically not a severe condition but in rare cases it can lead to skin disfigurement and even loss of vision.
Treatment of Rosacea
There is no cure at this time for rosacea but highly effective treatments are available. The right treatment will eliminate or control the effects of the condition for most people. Medications in pill form are often used to treat the redness that is associated with rosacea. Many dermatologists will prescribe simple antibiotics such as doxycycline to help control outbreaks. In addition to these oral medications, simple face creams with azelaic acid or metronidazole are often used to control the redness.
Another treatment for the redness symptom is called intense pulsed light or IPL. These treatments use pulsing lights and lasers to penetrate the skin and help control blood vessels that are expanding and causing redness.
The dryness that is commonly associated with rosacea can be treated with simple moisturizing lotions and creams. These are typically available over the counter but extreme cases may require stronger, prescription medications. When going in the sun, sunscreen is recommended with broad-spectrum protection to keep the sun from drying the skin and further triggering rosacea. There are a variety of sunscreens available that also have moisturizing elements in their ingredients.
Prevention is a key element to treating rosacea. Moisturizing skin regularly and taking care of it can go a long way toward helping to prevent rosacea from occurring or worsening. Washing irritants from your face a couple of times daily can help to prevent irritation and dryness. Also, knowing what triggers your rosacea and avoiding these factors is a key part of prevention. For example, if you often feel flushed after eating spicy foods, it would be a good idea to avoid these foods as they may trigger rosacea.
Rosacea can be an uncomfortable condition. The unsightly redness may make you feel less confident in social situations. If you are experiencing these symptoms associated with rosacea, contact a dermatologist and have them prescribe a plan to deal with the symptoms.