What is Rosacea?
Rosacea actually means 'red as a rose' but often goes beyond 'rosy cheeks'. It's a chronic condition most often associated with red skin on the cheeks and nose, but like other skin issues, it can also have a real impact on how we feel, including a loss of confidence, low self-esteem and feelings of frustration.
WHO SUFFERS FROM ROSACEA?
If you suffer from rosacea, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Around the world, more than 10% of people with fair skin have the condition. Symptoms normally begin around the age of 30 and affect three times as many women as men. Rosacea is often seen more severely in men and it typically peaks between the ages of 40 and 50 years old. 1
WHAT CAUSES ROSACEA?
While the exact cause of rosacea remains unknown, some scientists believe that the following factors could play a part:
- Genetic links – many people with rosacea have family members who also suffer
- The immune system has been seen to play a role in some types of rosacea
- There is evidence of a link with a bacterium found in the stomach called helicobacter pylori
- Demodex mites (demodex folliculorum) which are mites found on the skin seem to be more common in rosacea sufferers.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ROSACEA?
While the most common sign of rosacea is a persistent reddening of the skin on the face – the condition covers a wide range of symptoms, and like all skin conditions, these can vary from person to person.
TYPES OF ROSACEA
There are actually four different types of rosacea, you may experience a combination of different symptoms from each type, here’s what to look out for:
TYPE 1 – ERYTHEMATOTELANGIECTATIC ROSACEA, SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:
- Redness – a little bit like sunburn that doesn’t go away
- Flushing – this is usually an early sign of the condition
- Broken blood vessels, like spider veins
- Swollen skin (erythema) which may feel sensitive
- Stinging sensation
- Rough or scaly dry skin
TYPE 2 – PAPULOPUSTULAR ROSACEA, SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:
- Redness and flushing as with type 1
- Pustules and papules which are yellow pimples and small red bumps
While this may be confused with acne it could be a type of rosacea, particularly if they sting or burn.
TYPE 3 – OCULAR ROSACEA, SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
- Bloodshot or red and irritated eyes
- Dry eyes that may itch or burn and sting
- And/or blurred vision
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
TYPE 4 – PHYMATOUS ROSACEA, SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
- In some cases, the skin on the face (typically on the nose) may thicken and swell, with a bumpy texture
- Broken blood vessels and enlarged pores
HOW ELSE CAN ROSACEA AFFECT YOU?
Alongside physical rosacea symptoms, the skin condition can also naturally affect our self-esteem and general mental wellbeing. It can lead to a lack of confidence, anxiety and in some cases depression. Over time, this can influence other aspects of our day-to-day lives including socialising and even work. Don’t worry, there are ways to help with the symptoms.
ROSACEA TREATMENTS
Although there’s no cure for rosacea yet, there are some simple steps you can take to help make symptoms more manageable. Although some creams can help to reduce the visibility of spider veins and redness, it’s important not to just conceal the problem, instead you can tackle the causes of rosacea by building these simple steps into your daily routine:
FIND WHAT TRIGGERS YOUR ROSACEA
Rosacea can be triggered by factors such as our diet and our environment. Making a note of things that trigger your symptoms means you can avoid them in future and be better prepared if you do have a flare-up.
Common rosacea triggers can include:
- Exposure to sun
- Stress
- Hot weather
- Strong winds
- Alcohol
- Hot baths
- Cold weather
- Spicy foods
- Skin care products
APPLY SUN PROTECTION EVERY DAY
If you’ve got rosacea, sun can damage and irritate skin further. So, it pays to apply high factor sun protection every day, even if it’s not overly sunny. This will help to minimise your exposure to harmful UV rays.
CONSIDER YOUR ROSACEA SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Having a good daily skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, may help to take control of your symptoms by reducing flare-ups. Here are four little rules to follow when cleansing:
- Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face
- Avoid perfumed soap
- Use a soap substitute (emollient) to cleanse your face
- Use an unperfumed moisturiser on a regular basis
TALK TO YOUR PHARMACIST OR DOCTOR
Last but not least, don’t struggle on your own, you can always ask professionals for help and support. Your pharmacist or doctor will be able to recommend over-the-counter treatments.
1 Dermalex Rosacea Training Module.pdf
