Over 14 million Americans are said to be suffering from a skin condition called Rosacea. It is a skin disorder that is most common in people over the age of 30. It can make the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin red. If not healed immediately its intensity increases over time.
Rosacea also makes skin appear ruddy with tiny blood vessels being visible on the face.
In some rare cases, the effects of rosacea can expand to the scalp, chest, neck, and ears. The most worrisome stage of this skin disorder is when red bumps start developing pus in them.
It can also make the nose of a person extremely swollen, this condition is called rhinophyma. Another part of the face that gets heavily affected by rosacea is the eyes, they tend to get watery and red due to the irritation.
Who’s At Risk of Developing Rosacea?
Fair-skinned people are more at risk of getting rosacea as they age. It might come as a surprise but people who blush easily are at higher risk.
Unlike other skin disorders, this one isn’t found commonly in children. Its prime target is people who are above a certain age limit.
Also, inherited genes play a big role in deciding is a person will develop it or not. Every gender is equally at the same level of risk.
While rosacea in women is more noticed, the men get more severe symptoms. Men often don’t take skin disorders seriously which is why their symptoms worsen over time.
Cause Of Rosacea
The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown but due to advanced research, many theories are available to get some insight. One of the most widely believed causes is that a general disorder in blood veins is the culprit behind it.
Then another theory believes that it is all because of fungus. The trigger behind rosacea could be anything from a psychological factor to a bad chemical reaction. To get it treated correctly it’s best to learn the real reason behind it.
Symptoms Of Rosacea
Every case of rosacea is different from the previous one. Some people will notice a few prominent symptoms before developing this skin disorder while others can unexpectedly wake up with it. This is most commonly happens with a chemical reaction, in this scenario rosacea comes without any warning. Below listed are some of the primary and secondary symptoms of rosacea.
Primary Signs of Rosacea
Blushing:
As stated earlier people who tend to blush easily should keep an eye out for this skin disorder. Temporary facial redness is the earliest symptom of rosacea.
Intense redness:
If your face stays red for a long time then it might be time for you to book an appointment with a dermatologist.
Bumpy Skin:
If you are noticing small bumps on your skin, either clear or infected, then there is a possibility of it being rosacea. These bumps are often mistaken for acne but the absence of blackheads can prove that it’s more than that.
Prominent Blood Vessel:
This is something that appears at the advanced stage but if you see blood veins appear on your face then it’s rosacea.
Secondary Signs of Rosacea
These signs are not that common but still, they can’t be discarded completely. People who don’t catch the early symptoms then often endure these:
Irritated Eyes:
Irritation in the eyes is reported by some of the patients with advanced rosacea. This can often make your eyelid swell and appear red. This is really important to be treated on time otherwise there is a risk of corneal damage.
Dry Skin:
The extreme dryness of the skin is also one of the signs of this skin disorder.
Stinging Sensation:
Before redness, one can feel their face heating up. In severe cases, the stinging feeling could also cause discomfort in people with rosacea.
Red Patches:
Plaques which are more commonly known as red patches are the starting point of a person developing rosacea.
Swelling:
Skin thickening or swelling is one of the phenomena associated with this skin disorder. It can even change the shape of some features most commonly nose or eyelid.
It’s important to keep noticing other areas except the face such as chest, ears, neck, and scalp. Any irregularity in these places also points toward skin diseases.
How to Prevent Rosacea?
Since the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, it cannot be completely prevented. Still, there is a chance that people suffering from it can try a few things to keep the effect minimum.
These practices are most beneficial if they become a part of a person’s lifestyle. This includes:
- Less sun exposure
- Stress Management
- Avoid places with extreme weather conditions
- Daily exercise
- No smoking and drinking
- Use of hot water especially for face-washing and showering
- Keep skin cleansed and moisturized
How Rosacea Is Diagnosed?
As soon as you notice some irregularities in your skin it’s advised to book an appointment with a dermatologist. The redness of the face is a big pointer towards rosacea and in most cases people ignore it. Keep in mind that redness, bumps, itching, and visible blood vessels are all symptoms of this skin disorder.
How To Treat Rosacea?
Multiple treatments are available to treat this skin disorder. Since each case is different so is the recovery method. Below listed are the most commonly used ways to eradicate rosacea completely:
Medicines:
This is only recommended if a doctor prescribes a tablet. In advance cases, medicines can help greatly in countering the infection.
Surgery:
If the visible blood vessels become too much then patients often take the laser surgery route to get their old skin back. However, these surgeries always come with their own set of risks and aren’t suitable for everyone.
Unfortunately, there is no definite cure for rosacea as of now but medical researchers are working hard to find a more permanent solution. The best way to control its spread is by catching it early and trying to get rid of it in the early stage.
[…] Read: How to Know If You Have Rosacea – Signs and Symptoms […]
[…] How to Know If You Have Rosacea – Signs and Symptoms […]