Rosacea is a non-contagious skin condition that involves inflammation and red flushing of the skin on the face and neck. Although anyone may have symptoms of rosacea at one point or another, it is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. The symptoms tend to come and go in people who are affected and often get worse as you get older.
The name “rosacea” originates from the Latin term that translates to “like roses” because of the way the skin appears red.
In people who have rosacea, the tiny blood vessels in the skin of the face, called capillaries, get bigger and the skin appears flushed as more blood passes through. This is why the first sign of rosacea is usually frequent flushing or blushing of the skin.
What does Rosacea look like?
Symptoms of rosacea may include:
- Enlarged capillaries in the skin
- Permanent red flush across the nose and cheeks
- Red bumps on the skin of the face
- Pimples with a yellow head on the forehead, cheeks and chin
- Swollen cheeks and nose
- Burning or stinging sensation
The cheeks, nose, forehead and chin are the most commonly affected areas of the face. They typically appear redder than other areas of skin on the face and small, red bumps may be visible, which are sometimes be filled with pus.
Many people find that the affected areas of the skin are tender to touch, particularly if the red bumps are filled with pus, and may also feel a burning or stinging sensation. Fortunately, the pimple-like bumps do not usually cause scars, unlike the pimples caused by acne.
In some people, the nose can also become enlarged, particularly in males who are affected by rosacea.
Triggers of Rosacea
There are some things that can trigger rosacea symptoms or aggravate them. Common triggers of rosacea include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Overheating from saunas or hot baths
- Hot drinks such as tea and coffee
- Hot or spicy foods
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive exposure to the sun
- Physical activity
- Overheating in bed while sleeping
There are also some medications that can trigger or make rosacea worse, such as fluorinated corticosteroid creams.
Home Management of Rosacea
If you are affected by rosacea, the first thing to do is to avoid or reduce exposure to triggers that can aggravate the condition. There is no known cure for rosacea and the symptoms tend to come and go, so avoiding triggers should be the first step.
It can be helpful to avoid food and drinks that are associated with worsened symptoms (e.g. coffee, tea, alcohol, spicy foods.) Some lifestyle changes may also help to improve rosacea symptoms, such as avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and hot environments (e.g. saunas and spas.) Affected women may also find it helpful to avoid using oil-based makeup, which may aggravate symptoms.
At home, you can apply a cold pack to the affected areas to help reduce the inflammation in the skin. Additionally, making sure that you do not overheat while sleeping at night can help.
Treatments Available for Rosacea
If you find that the symptoms of rosacea don’t get better by avoiding triggers and simple diet and lifestyle changes, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the available treatment options.
Many people find relief of rosacea symptoms with the use of an ointment or gel that contains a type of antibiotic called metronidazole. This is ideal because you can apply it directly to the affected area where it can work its effect and you are less likely to experience side effect in other areas of your body.
For more severe cases, you may need to take low-dose oral antibiotics for several months to help clear the condition. Laser therapy can also help to reduce symptoms in some people.
The best way to decide on the best option for you is to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your personal situation so that the best course of action can be followed.
We have a very effective cream in our Compounding Section that does not require a prescription. Call in and discuss this with us, and we will give you FREE sample to show you how effective it is.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to know more about rosacea and what you can do to manage the symptoms, we’ll be happy to help you at Inverell Pharmacy (next to Telstra). Simply stop by for a chat with one of our pharmacists for more information, or give us a call on 026722 3146.
Inverell Pharmacy – your locally owned and operated pharmacy with 5 pharmacists to Assist and Advise you.