What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a persistent skin condition that appears mainly on the face as a flushed area around the nose, chin, forehead, and cheeks. Rosacea can start at any age and for many different reasons. Most people that develop rosacea are typically over thirty and can come and go depending on what triggers a flare-up. Rosacea can worsen for some people if they let it go without treatment, and it affects the entire population but is more dominant in women and fair-skinned people who blush frequently.
What causes Rosacea?
The cause of rosacea is unknown now, but the good news is that you can improve your symptoms upon the proper diagnosis and treatment. One theory is underlying systemic inflammation in the body.
What are some signs and symptoms of Rosacea?
People are sometimes confused if they have rosacea because it’s often mistaken for other skin issues like acne or sensitive skin. Rosacea can stay red for weeks while experiencing a flare-up on your skin. Your skin texture may change and also become oily. Rosacea symptoms can vary from person to person. The diagnosis is determined by having at least one or two main signs of rosacea: persistent facial redness, skin thickening, visible blood vessels, papules, and pustules. Some other symptoms of rosacea are irritated eyes and acne-looking bumps that may feel warm, visible spider veins on the face, and a burning sensation on your face.
How to treat rosacea symtoms?
When treating rosacea patients, it’s essential to know that because symptoms vary, you may get a customized treatment plan based on your unique skin. Depending on symptoms, medications, oral or topical, and laser devices may be recommended in some cases.
Additional Factors that can affect rosacea flare-ups
Extreme weather changes can trigger flare-ups in your skin and certain foods, stress, and other health conditions. Excessive exercise or anything that overheats you can activate a flare-up. I always recommend keeping a daily record of your meals and activities that briefly describe your day. History allows you to look back and examine what may have triggered your flare-up and help you avoid or adjust those triggers in the future, whether it may be certain foods, sun exposure, stressful events, or any of the above.
What about Skincare?
Skincare plays a vital role in controlling rosacea flare-ups, and finding the right products will be essential to helping your skin. You will generally want to use more gentle products on your skin so they will not irritate it. Since sun exposure can trigger rosacea, using a good sunscreen is crucial. A wide variety of products that help to decrease inflammation in the skin are available to help you control your rosacea flare-ups and also treat the core of your skin care needs like acne, aging, or sensitivity in the skin. Have a licensed professional create a skincare routine customized just for your skin.
If you think you have rosacea, consult a licensed dermatologist. If you’d like to manage your rosacea, message me to book your consult now.
Have questions? I’m here to help!
Teresa
