A chronic skin disease, rosacea produces flushing and dilation of the small blood vessels in the face, especially the nose and the cheeks. Papules and pustules may also occur but without the characteristic comedones of the acne vulgaris.
rosacea is most common in white women between ages 30 and 50. When it occurs in men, however, it's usually more severe and often associated with rhinophyma, which is characterized by dilated follicles and thickened, bulbous skin on the nose.
Ocular involvement may result in blepharitis, conjunctivitis, uveitis, or keratitis. Rosacea usually spreads slowly and rarely subsides spontaneously.
CAUSES
Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, stress, infection, vitamin deficiencies, end endocrine abnormalities can aggravate this condition. Anything that produces flushing—for example, tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods, physical activity, sunlight, extreme heat or cold, or hot beverages, such as tea or coffee - can also aggravate rosacea.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Rosacea generally begins with periodic flushing across the central oval of the face, accompanied later by papules and pustules. Rhinophyma (enlargement and redness of the entire nose) is commonly associated with a severe rosacea but may occur alone. It usually first appears on the lower part of the nose, and produces red, thickened skin and follicular enlargement. related ocular lesions are uncommon.
TREATMENT
As symptoms subside, gradually decreasing doses of oral tetracycline are given for the acneiform component of rosacea. Topical metronidazole gel helps the papules, pustules, and redness. Topical application of 1% hydrocortisone cream reduces redness and inflammation.
Other treatments may include electrolysis to destroy large, dilated blood vessels and removal of excess tissue in patients with rhynophyma.
To help reduce symptoms of rosacea, avoid hot beverages, alcohol, extended sun exposure, and other possible causes of flushing.
Although dermatologists often consider medical or topical treatments first to treat the symptoms of rosacea, some patients are becoming increasingly concerned about taking these long-term medications and are turning to laser and light therapies that generally do not cause any systemic side effects.
<== Rosacea
Photo courtesy of dermnet.com
One type of laser that has been used for many years to treat the redness and visible blood vessels that occur from rosacea is the pulsed dye laser (PDL). This laser's wavelength effectively targets the obvious blood vessels, absorbing them through the light-attracting molecules that work to destroy them. PDL also can reduce the flushing and redness that rosacea patients experience, but Dr. Kim cautioned that this laser can cause some temporary bruising in patients -- although some of the newer PDLs are eliminating this side effect.
Another light therapy proven effective in treating rosacea is intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). After filtering out the harmful, cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, IPL therapy delivers a multitude of light to the affected areas where it absorbs the targeted blood vessels and redness. Dr. Kim noted that IPL is preferred for larger areas of diffused redness, whereas the PDL treatment works best for targeting the obvious blood vessels on the face.
For a less common, but more problematic, symptom of rosacea known as rhinophyma (a thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks that can look bumpy), the newer erbium lasers and fractional photothermolysis are being used to smooth the nose without significant removal of the top layer of skin, which is a common side effect of more aggressive treatments.
Clinical Trials: Rosacea
Day creams
Dermatologists agree that the single most important skin-care product for day is sunscreen. And plenty of inexpensive moisturizers provide good sun protection and hydration.
Exceptions: Skin that is already damaged or has a specific problem, like rosacea, eczema or hyperpigmentation. If your goal is simply to avoid having dry skin, many less expensive moisturizers can accomplish this. Skin that has sun damage or special needs will require certain products and ingredients like antioxidants and retinoids.
Sea Buckthorn - The SBT oils, which are marketed as highly beneficial for use in skin care formulations, are higher in essential fatty acids, beta-carotenes, tocotrienols and vitamins than any other oil - all of which is said to benefit skin health, and in particular conditions such as rosacea and eczema.