Who Is Affected By Rosacea?
Evidence suggests rosacea affects people differently based on skin tone and gender. People with fair skin have higher incidence rates of rosacea than those with darker complexions. Also, the condition occurs more frequently among women than men, although men tend to suffer more severe symptoms.
Symptoms
Rosacea causes multiple symptoms of varying levels of severity. Common rosacea symptoms include the following.
- Bumps or acne-like pimples;
- Facial burning, itching, or stinging;
- Facial swelling;
- Flushing;
- Persistently red facial skin;
- Raised red patches on the face;
- Rough and dry facial skin;
- Visible blood vessels; and
- Watery or irritated eyes.
Symptoms mostly affect the face, although they less commonly can appear on the chest, ears, neck, and scalp. Even when symptoms are mild, the appearance of rosacea can lead a person to seek skincare treatments.
Flare-Ups
When rosacea is aggravated its symptoms become more pronounced in what is known as a flare-up. The National Rosacea Foundation has found that leading triggers of flare-ups include alcohol, spicy foods, strenuous exercise, and time spent in cold and dry weather. Direct exposure to hairspray, high heat, and sustained sunshine have also been linked to rosacea flare-ups.
Patients are encouraged to record notes when their rosacea flares up; these notes should include observations about the environmental or lifestyle conditions present at the time, as these could indicate potential triggers. Sharing these notes with your dermatologist helps them to create individualized approaches to rosacea treatments that better control, or even eliminate, certain flare-ups.
Managing Rosacea
Although rosacea cannot be cured, it can be managed through a well-planned and persistent skin care routine. To help prevent rosacea flare-ups, dermatologists recommend gentle skin care: use a mild cleanser with lukewarm water and then pat (do not rub) the skin dry. If symptoms don't improve, a rosacea medication may be necessary.
Additionally, rosacea patients are strongly urged to apply sunscreen when outside to protect the skin. The most effective sunscreens have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 as well as ingredients that block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Rosacea Treatments
When your rosacea flares up, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center will likely prescribe oral antibiotics and topical medications to mitigate the symptoms. During remission periods, you may only need to apply topical treatments. For more severe cases, though, medical devices such as vascular lasers may be used to remove visible blood vessels and reduce excessive redness. To learn which treatments are right for you, please consult our dermatologists in Boardman and Warren, OH.