Acne Rosacea Treatment
Acne Rosacea Treatment
Acne rosacea is an old term that refers to a skin disorder that is characterized by redness of the face, particularly the cheeks, nose and forehead. These days, it is simply referred to as rosacea because it is not considered as one of the forms of acne. Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that appears as a red flush and sometimes accompanied by the appearance of cysts and red spots affecting mostly the face, although it might also be found in the eyes.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
Rosacea appears as an erythema or persistent redness or it may occur intermittently as frequent flushing. Pustules (small cysts) and lumps (papules) may also appear which look similar to acne. Tiny blood vessels found under the skin of the face might also become more prominent, a condition referred to as telangiectasia.
Rosacea affects the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin and the area around the mouth. However, it may also appear on other areas of the skin such as on the back or the arms, although rarely. Aside from the burning sensation on the affected skin, there is no discomfort associated with rosacea. It’s not itchy or painful and there are hardly any complications.
What causes rosacea?
There is no known cause of rosacea, although there are certain factors that can lead to the condition, such as sun damage or abnormal blood cells underneath the skin. Rosacea is not contagious and not considered as a skin infection, so germs and bacteria are probably not a contributing factor.
Who is more prone to getting acne rosacea?
Acne rosacea is found more often in adults from 30 to 60 years old. However, it usually first occurs in people who are in their 20s and 50s. It is rarely seen in children. It was first thought that acne rosacea occurred mostly in women, but further studies of available data suggest that it probably occurs evenly in both sexes. Rosacea in women is usually less severe compared to that in men.
It was once thought that rosacea occurred more frequently in fair skinned people. However, some researchers and doctors believe that the increased pigmentation in dark skinned people may hide the appearance of the disease. There is no study yet to confirm this assumption.
Treatments for rosacea
If you’re looking for a permanent cure for this condition, you must know that rosacea has no cure. Any product or company promising a permanent solution to rosacea may be making fraudulent claims. However, there are certain treatments you can use to treat the symptoms of rosacea and things you can do to lessen them.
Flushing
The main problem with rosacea is the flushing of the skin, particularly the cheeks and forehead. There is no pill that can lessen or prevent this but knowing what triggers the symptom and avoiding them might help. Certain factors such as extreme heat, alcohol, spicy food and drinks, vigorous exercises and stressful situations can cause symptoms to appear. Try to avoid these factors to minimize the symptoms.
Certain cosmetics can also affect people with rosacea, who usually have sensitive skin. Creams, cleansers, makeup and perfumes containing alcohol, acetone, oils and exfoliants often aggravate symptoms. There may also be certain medications that can trigger flushing. If this is the case with you, ask your doctor if he can recommend an alternative.
For a temporary solution to telangiectasia and erythema, camouflage creams and concealers can offer a temporary but effective solution. In some cases, fine laser therapy may be used with telangiectasia.
Cysts and spots
To avoid infection and reduce inflammation, antibiotics are usually prescribed if cysts and spots appear. Depending on the severity of the condition, either a topical antibiotic cream containing metronidazole or pills containing erythromycin or tetracycline may be used. Milder symptoms will also do well with topical creams containing azelaic acid.
If you have these symptoms, it’s important that you follow a complete course of treatment, which usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks. This will ensure that cysts and spots clear out. Shorter treatments often lead to recurrence of the symptoms. Improvement using antibiotics is usually noticed about 14 to 21 days after initial treatment.
Rosacea and sunlight
One of the causes that trigger rosacea is exposure to sunlight. Many doctors believe it worsens the symptoms, so it’s important that strong sunlight is avoided. It is also very helpful to use a sunblock to help protect the skin when outdoors. Use a sunblock with a 15 sun protection factor or higher and choose one that protects against both UVA and UVB. Sunblock is not a treatment for acne rosacea but it can help prevent symptoms.
Flor Serquina is a writer and also a wife and a mother who has a great interest in maintaining the healthy skin of the members of her large family. For more information visit her website, where she discusses various subjects such as acne rosacea treatment, chest acne and treating cystic acne.
By Flor Serquina
