What is roscea?

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin problem that, according to the National Rosacea Society affects almost 14 million individuals in the United States alone.  Many of the people who suffer from this disorder may not even be aware it’s rosacea they are dealing with.  This is because many of the symptoms that come with rosacea also mimic those of acne and other common skin conditions.

Unfortunately, this misdiagnosis can lead to additional health problems because if treated improperly, it may actually become more serious.  That is why it is important for you to raise your rosacea awareness, so that you can use the knowledge in order to combat the problem.

Is rosacea like acne?

Many people consider rosacea to be a skin condition that is similar to acne but there are actually some very significant differences.  Both acne and rosacea have the potential to cause skin papules but with rosacea, these bumps will not appear as whiteheads or blackheads that are common with acne.  Rosacea can also cause such problems as broken blood vessels, rhinophyma and red blotches on the area of the face.

It may also be connected with another problem that is known as ocular rosacea.  This is a condition that affects the eyelid and at times the eye itself.  It causes an irritating burning sensation or feeling as if grit has gotten into your eye.  Left untreated, this can become a very serious problem and can even cause blindness in severe cases.

What causes it?

The causes of rosacea are really unknown for the most part.  It is thought that it may be hereditary to a certain extent but it may also be caused by the environment around us.  It does tend to happen more in individuals who are fair skinned and who blush easily.

Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule and it can also happen to people with dark skin as well.  Fortunately, rosacea is not contagious but it does create a problem in many of us that causes us to isolate ourselves out of embarrassment.

Any signs or symptoms?

Rosacea tends to be a progressive problem and left untreated, it tends to get worse over time.  It is often referred to as adult onset acne because it is a problem that will appear after the teenage years when acne is typically a problem.

It can either be chronic or it can be cyclic, appearing for a week or several months and then subsiding before returning again.  It is very difficult to self diagnose this problem because there are other conditions that are very similar.  It is better for you to have been diagnosed by a professional, either
your doctor or a dermatologist.

What may cause it to flare up?

There may also be conditions that are associated with some treatments, such as laser hair removal which mimic the look of rosacea.  Whereas rosacea is progressive, these will show up whenever the treatment is administered and fade, never to return again.  On the other hand, rosacea may cause damage to the blood vessels which can become a permanent problem and will need to be treated through the use of laser surgery if a cosmetic fix is desirable.

So what can I do to treat it?

Unfortunately, there is very little that medical science can do in order to treat rosacea effectively.  There are some medications which tend to make it subside to a certain extent but in order for you to overcome the problem, you are simply going to need to avoid things which cause it to flare up.  This can be such things as skin care products which include irritants, such as alcohol or chemicals.  It can also come about as a result of the foods that we eat or perhaps even a problem with dehydration.

Will it ever go away?

Rosacea is a progressive problem and it rarely ever goes away on its own.  Many people have to deal with this skin problem regularly in their lives. In order for you to avoid having rosacea impact your life to the greatest extent possible, you need to avoid the things that will cause it to flare up.  Although this may sound like simplistic advice, it is actually the best advice that anyone can give to you.  If something irritates the situation, avoid it if at all possible.