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Rosacea: What You Need To Know
Skin Care - Rosacea
Rosacea, while it may not be heard too often, is fairly prevalent in the population. It is one of the most widespread skin conditions that cause inflammation in the face. Once a person is afflicted, his or her face will look reddish. Some may interpret it as being flushed or blushing, but later on, pimples and thin red lines will prove that it is not a normal body process or skin condition. Sometimes, people refer to this condition as acne rosacea, but this is misleading because rosacea and acne are two very different skin conditions.

Usually, rosacea affects those who are already 30 years old and above. Both males and females can have this condition. Some factors that can aggravate this condition are environmental in nature, such as exposure to the sun, wind, rain changes in temperature, or even stress. It can also be caused by lifestyle choices and unhealthy diet such as excessive consumption of hot and spicy foods and drinking alcohol and caffeine. Recent research suggests that some medications, notably ACE inhibitors, can also lead to the development of this condition.

One good habit that would help you identify the triggers to your skin condition is to keep a diary in the next few weeks. Write down everything that you have ingested, whether food or drink, as well as the weather and your moods. Through reviewing these entries, you will be able to know which factors make you susceptible to rosacea onsets. Listed below are the symptoms of rosacea.

Flushing of the face or the neck, also called erythema, is one of the first symptoms of rosacea. This is caused by the expansion of blood vessels located in the face and the neck in order to allow increased blood flow to the face. At first, the flushing will disappear, but as the disease progresses, it will become permanent.

You may also notice that red lines are forming on the face. This is also called telangiectasia. The enlarged blood vessels under your skin appear as red lines. As the redness subsides, these lines become more noticeable.

Soon, you will notice that papules or pimples are already forming. These pimples are usually small, red, and lumpy. Several pimples may be filled with pus, while others may appear to be small, white bumps. You would know it is rosacea if there are no blackheads nor whiteheads occurring with the pimples.

In most cases, rosacea can lead to the development of mild to severe problems relating to eyesight. Ocular rosacea is diagnosed through the appearance of inflamed, crusty, and dry eyelids, as well as the occurrence of conjunctivitis. If ocular rosacea receives no treatment, it can give way to more serious problems, among them irisitis, or the inflammation of the iris, and keraritis, a disorder of the cornea.

There are no known causes yet for rosacea. However, research suggests that genetics and heredity may play a part in the tendency of a person to develop this disorder. There are many ways to treat rosacea, but prevention is always better than cure. Take steps to know if your family is predisposed to rosacea, and avoid triggers that could cause the onset of this disease.