Information About Rosacea
A large number of men and women are affected by rosacea. However, approximately 78 percent of American adults misidentify rosacea as adult acne. Rosacea is incurable, but all symptoms associated with the condition can be treated. If identified early, rosacea can be easily managed, preventing serious physical and psychological problems. While the cause of rosacea is unknown, research is being conducted to find out more about the condition, and how it occurs.
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Significance
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Rosacea can have a great physical and psychological impact on a patient, affecting her social life and occupational performance. The American Academy of Dermatology states that in one survey, 41 percent of patients suffering from rosacea "[avoided] public contact or [canceled] social engagements" because of the condition. Rosacea affects approximately 14 million Americans, primarily fair-skinned women between the ages of 30 and 50. Men are less likely to be affected by rosacea, and more likely to develop worse cases of the condition.
Types
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Rosacea may be expressed as four separate subtypes. Some patients may suffer from more than one subtype. Characteristics of subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea) include flushing, redness and visible blood vessels. Characteristics of subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea) include redness with bumps and pimples. Subtype 3 is expressed as thickening of the skin and often an enlargement of the nose, due to excess skin formation. The characteristics of subtype 4 include symptoms of the eye, such as redness, swelling, itching, irritation, stys and vision loss.
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Triggers
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Some patients with rosacea have identified specific triggers which cause symptoms to worsen. Some common triggers include exercise, alcohol consumption, heat, sun exposure, stress, extreme cold and yard work. Although some of these triggers may be unavoidable, the American Academy of Dermatology has compiled a list of tips to help minimize the severity of flareup, or avoid them altogether. Also, not all patients may experience flareups from all of the most common triggers.
Treatment
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The first subtype of rosacea can be treated with oral antibiotics in conjuction with a suncreen formulated for sensitive skin, topical medications, laser treatments and electrocautery. The second subtype of rosacea can be treated with oral antibiotics and topical medications. Skin thickening associated with rosacea can be treated with laser therapy, dermabrasion and electrocautery. Eye problems associated with rosacea can be treated with regular cleansing, antibiotics and eye drops.
Theories/Speculation
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The causes of rosacea are currently unknown. However, many researchers and healthcare professionals have produced theories in order to explain the occurrence of rosacea. Many researchers believe that rosacea is hereditary or caused by environmental factors which cause blood vessels in the skin to become swollen. Another theory is that inflammation associated with rosacea is caused by Demodex folliculorum, a type of mite which lives in hair follicles and may clog pores. Helicobactor pylori, a type of bacteria, is another possible culprit of rosacea.
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