What is Rosacea?

If you have been experiencing prolonged redness on your cheeks and face, you may have early symptoms of Rosacea. This skin condition can easliy be confused for others, so we have put together the following article for you to learn more about what Rosacea is, how to identify it and how to treat it.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is characterised by facial redness. The redness is caused by blood vessels in the skin enlarging, or dilating.

In its early stages, Rosacea can often be mistaken for other conditions, such as acne and natural ruddiness. Early symptoms, such as blushing, may flare up for weeks to months at a time and then disappear.

Rosacea is a long-term condition with no current cure. It can go through phases of severity throughout a person’s lifetime, but there are ways of controlling or alleviating the symptoms.

Common triggers for rosacea – and things to avoid where possible – include: alcohol, spicy foods, cheese, caffeine, hot drinks, high/low temperatures, aerobic exercise, stress and direct sunlight.

What is Rosacea caused by?

The exact cause of Rosacea is still unknown.

Occasionally Rosacea will run in families, but genetics are not a proven cause. Problems with the immune system and environmental factors may influence the likelihood of developing the condition.

It has been theorised that bacteria on the skin plays a role, since antibiotics are effective at treating Rosacea. However, Rosacea is not contagious and the antibiotics likely work due to their anti-inflammatory effect, causing blood vessels to contract.

Who gets Rosacea?

Rosacea can affect anyone of any skin type, but it is most common in light-skinned women between the ages of 40 to 60. When Rosacea occurs in men, the symptoms can be more severe.

Smoking may increase the risk of developing Rosacea.

How do I know if I have Rosacea?

You may have Rosacea if you experience the following symptoms on your cheeks, forehead, chin or nose:

• A permanent rash/redness/blush
• Broken blood vessels in the skin becoming visible
• Small pink or red spots, bumps and pus-filled pimples
• Thick skin on the nose (rhinophyma – more common in men and usually a late symptom, appearing after many years)
• Swelling around the eyes
• Burning and stinging sensations (especially when using water or skincare products)
• Spontaneous bleeding on the skin

With Rosacea comes the risk of Rosacea keratitis, which is a serious condition that affects the eyes. You should see a GP, optician, or dermatologist urgently if you experience:

• Painful eyes
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Red eyes
• Gritty eyes

How can Rosacea be treated?

There is no permanent cure for Rosacea, but there are ways of treating the symptoms. If you do not seek treatment, it is likely that your Rosacea will get worse.

Your GP may prescribe antibiotics to reduce inflamed blood vessels. This will decrease signs of redness, the risk of bleeding and other symptoms.

Similarly, there are prescription creams and gels that can be applied to the skin at home. MySkyn Clinic offers La Roche-Posay as once such targeted skin care product.

LED therapy and IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment have had success at treating Rosacea. Otherwise, laser treatments, such as Laser Skin Resurfacing can be used to break up blood vessels and induce natural healing in the skin.

Before and after rosacea treatment at MySkyn Clinic in Bradford

Are there side effects to Rosacea treatment?

For stronger Rosacea treatments, such as Laser Skin Resurfacing, there are likely to be some temporary side-effects.

These include redness and swelling. Swelling should decrease within a few days, but redness could persist for 2 to 6 months, after which point you will see significant results in the decrease of your Rosacea symptoms.

Alternative side effects to laser treatment sometimes include the skin growing lighter or darker, cold sores returning, and a minor risk of infection. A reliable clinic should give you the support and advise necessary for your recovery.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen should be enough to alleviate any initial discomfort you may experience. You can also place a wrapped ice pack on your face and keep your head raised on a pillow at night. When you go outside, you should protect yourself against the sun by wearing SPF 30 or above and covering your skin where possible.

MySkyn Clinic is available to answer any other questions you may have, either online or on 01274 921121. We are a CQC registered, all-female-run clinic and speak both Urdu and Punjabi if you require. Please get in touch to start the journey towards healthier, happier skin!