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Rosacea - Rosacea symptom, treatment, causes

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin of the face, mainly affecting the nose and cheeks and characterised by redness, pimples, pustules and dilated and broken small blood vessels. The cause is unknown, but flushing may contribute because Rosacea tends to occur in people whose faces flush easily. Middle-aged women of fair complexion are most often affected.

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. In fact, rosacea has been called adult acne or acne rosacea, but the disease has little to do with the pimples and blackheads that commonly afflict teenagers. It's also a misconception that this red-faced condition is caused by drinking alcoholic beverages. Rosacea affects mostly adults, usually people with fair skin, between the ages of 30 and 60. About 14 million Americans have this chronic skin condition. Although it's more common in women, men may develop more apparent signs of the disorder. It's not life-threatening, but it can affect your appearance and lower your self-esteem. Rosacea can be embarrassing, and left untreated, it can get worse. If the symptoms bother you, see your doctor and learn ways to control rosacea.

Rosacea is a common but often misunderstood condition that is estimated to affect over 45 million people worldwide. Its symptoms include redness, pimples, and, in later stages, thicker skin. Rosacea is a skin condition that produces red oily skin and acne. The tiny blood vessels in these areas gets dilate and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines called telangiectasias. Rosacea usually affects the face other parts of the upper body are only rarely involved. Long term Rosacea may produce Rhinophyma, an enlarged nose. It tends to occur mostly on the face, and sometimes on the neck and upper chest. About 50 percent of the time it involves the eye area as well. It tends to occur more frequently in people with fair skin, and may be an inherited trait.

Causes of Rosacea

The common Causes of Rosacea :

• The drugs such as amiodarone or nitroglycerine -like drugs may cause roscea.
• Foods or beverages that cause facial flushing, such as alcohol, spicy foods, hot soups, coffee, and tea, may form rosacea.
• Abnormalities in blood vessels , under the affected skin may cause rosacea.
• In 30-40% of patients have a family history of roscea.
• The immune abnormalities like different types of antinuclear antibodies in the blood may help in the formation of roscea.
• Lymphedema is suspected to play a major role especially in the severe form of rhinophyma.
• A germ called demodex follicularum found on the skin may be involved in the formayion of rosacea.
• Constipation or alimentary symptoms and rosacea has been suspected, but there is no strong evidence for any relation.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Some common Symptoms of Rosacea :

• Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes
• Acne-like skin eruptions (may ooze or crust)
• Red bumps or pimples on the face
• Dry, watery, or irritated eyes
• A red, bulbous nose
• Redness of the face in discrete areas or covering the entire face
• A tendency to flush or blush easily.
• Frequent blushing.
• A warm or burning sensation on facial skin.
• Plaques (raised red patches).
• Swelling .

Treatment of Rosacea

Long-term use of tetracycline antibiotics usually results in improvement. Rosacea also responds well to local applications of gel containing the antibiotic metronidazole. Patients are advised to avoid aggravating factors such as some types of steroid cream, and anything that causes flushing for example drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, spicy foods, sunburn and cold winds. Laser treatment has been used successfully to remove unsightly broken blood vessels.

• Monoxidine and Clonodine are anti-hypertensives and very beneficial for roscea treatment.
• Typical treatment for rosacea is to take 500 mg of tetracycline in the morning,
• Retin-A is an effective treatment for Rosacea and can decrease the number of small blood vessels.
• Vitamin A derivatives such as isotretinoin are useful in the treatment of rosacea.
• Avoid hot drinks , spicy foods , caffeine , and alcoholic beverages .
• It can also be treated with this technique. This is often covered by insurance because it is so disfiguring.
• The red face of rosacea can often be improved with this method. This type of treatment is time consuming and expensive. It is not covered by insurance.
• Exercise in a cool environment . Don't overheat.
• Accutane is a drug taken by mouth which is reserved for severe rosacea.