How to Cure Rosacea
Often mistaken for adult acne, rosacea is a common skin disease whose symptoms may include flushing and redness of the face, red bumps or pustules, burst facial capillaries, and swelling or pitting of the nose. While it is not possible to cure rosacea, it is relatively easy to control if caught early. By reducing rosacea triggers and preventing flare-ups, rosacea sufferers can slow the disease's progress and live with few or no outward signs of the illness.
Instructions
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Use SPF 15 (or higher) sunscreen on your face when you go outside. Wear a hat, and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Some brands of make-up contain sunscreen as well. Sun exposure is strongly linked with rosacea flare-ups.
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Avoid extreme temperatures and sudden temperature changes. If you get hot enough for your face to turn red, you will probably have a flare-up soon. A sudden change from hot to cold (like splashing cold water on your face after running) can cause capillaries to burst.
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Take warm showers and baths, but not hot ones. Keeping your skin hot for a long time can trigger a flare-up.
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Exercise in an air-conditioned room or during the cooler parts of the day. If your face starts getting really hot, slow your pace until it cools off.
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Drink alcohol in moderation (especially red wine and hard alcohol) and avoid very spicy foods. These raise your body temperature and cause your face to flush, which can trigger flare-ups later on.
Skin Care
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Use your medications according to your doctor's instructions. Most antibiotic creams should be applied daily to clean skin, and some antibiotic tablets may need to be taken with food or at certain times of day.
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Use gentle skin care products formulated for people with rosacea. Avoid products that contain witch hazel, alcohol, salicylic acid, or exfoliants. These ingredients burn and irritate skin and cause flare ups.
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Leave bumps and pimples alone if you have a flare-up, and don't try to burst them. This can cause scarring, and can make the flare-up worse.
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Tips & Warnings
The symptoms and causes of rosacea vary from person to person. Foods like eggplants, tomatoes, and dairy products affect some people's rosacea while others' is triggered by certain skin products or environmental factors like stress. Keep a journal to record flare-ups and suspected trigger so you can avoid the things that affect you specifically. Rosacea is most commonly found in fair-skinned women ages 30 to 50. If you suspect you have rosacea, consult a dermatologist for the best course of treatment.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
