Rosacea, a skin condition commonly affecting men and women of all ages with fair complexions, is characterized by small, red, pus-filled bumps that tend to manifest for several weeks or months before going away. If you have been diagnosed with rosacea, being knowledgeable about the common causes of these flare-ups can help you avoid them, as well as to deal with them when they do occur.
Anyone can develop rosacea, but it most commonly occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 60 with fair skin who have a family history of the disease. In addition to the aforementioned red bumps that resemble acne, the condition may also cause facial redness, swollen and visible blood vessels, eye issues such as dryness and irritation, and an enlarged nose.
Rosacea outbreaks can be triggered by a number of factors, including spicy foods, foods or beverages that are too hot, alcohol, exposure to extremes of hot or cold weather and/or exposure to sunlight, feelings of stress, anxiety, or embarrassment, hot baths or showers, strenuous exercise, and certain medications, including blood pressure drugs and corticosteroids such as prednisone.
Because Rosacea triggers are different for everyone, keeping a log of your rosacea symptoms can help determine what causes your outbreaks so that you can avoid those situations and stimuli. In general, people with rosacea should always wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30, use gentle cleansers on the face, avoid facial products with alcohol, and wear a scarf to protect the face in cold or windy weather.
Since there’s no cure for rosacea, identifying and avoiding your triggers is an important part of managing its symptoms. At Rao Dermatology, our medical team may also prescribe antibiotics or acne drugs, both of which are sometimes effective in reducing the frequency and severity of rosacea flare-ups. If left untreated, rosacea can cause complications such as permanently enlarged blood vessels. Surgical procedures such as laser surgery can often improve these complications if they occur. Some people have noticed reduction of their symptoms with the use of dietary supplements, such as colloidal silver, emu oil, laurelwood, oregano oil and vitamin K. Talk with our treatment providers before starting these types of treatments to avoid negative interactions.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that are characteristic of rosacea, we can determine the cause of the issue. A member of our team can perform a physical exam and rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema or lupus. Contact Rao Dermatology today to schedule your consultation.
