Rosacea - The Basic Facts
In a recent survey by the National Rosacea Society 76% of people suffering with Rosacea said that the condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem while 52% said that it had caused them to avoid public contact or social engagements. Amongst those patients with severe symptoms, 70% said that the condition had adversely affected their professional interactions and almost 30% said that they had even missed work because of their condition.
A serious condition that is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, rosacea has been called ‘the great pretender’ as the early symptoms can often be confused with acne, mild sensitivity and even sunburn. Now, however, the condition is becoming more common so it’s important to recognise both the signs of its development and what steps can be taken to help to control it.
Rosacea mainly affects the face although it can appear on the scalp, neck, chest and back as well. Initial symptoms can include facial flushing, spots and persistent redness as tiny blood vessels in the skin become more visible. In severe cases, skin around the nose can become very thick and enlarged and the eyes watery and irritated.
Twice as many women as men are affected by this condition but symptoms are generally more severe in males; individuals between the ages of 30-50, with fair skin, blue eyes and from Northern Europe tend to be most at risk. Experts estimated that around 2-5% of people have symptoms of rosacea.
There are a number of signs to look out when identifying rosacea; the earliest sign is often facial flushing as many people with Rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness can be sporadic and may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away. Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples are further evidence of the presence of this disorder and, while these may resemble acne, there are no blackheads and burning or stinging may occur. In many people with Rosacea, small blood vessels become visible on the skin while the eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition known as ocular Rosacea. The eyelids also may become red and swollen, and sties are common. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss without medical help.
For more severe cases, burning or stinging sensations can occur along with itching or a feeling of tightness. The central facial skin may be rough and appear to be very dry. Raised red patches, known as plaques, may develop without changes in the surrounding skin. The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose. This condition, known as Rhinophyma, affects more men than women. Facial swelling, known as oedema, may accompany other signs of Rosacea or occur independently.
Rosacea can be categorised into different subtypes depending on the severity, the different subtypes are as follows -
Subtype 1 Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea; characterized by flushing and persistent redness; may include visible blood vessels.
Subtype 2 Papulopustular rosacea; characterized by persistent redness with transient bumps and pimples.
Subtype 3 Phymatous rosacea; characterized by skin thickening, often resulting in an enlargement of the nose from excess tissue.
Subtype 4 Ocular rosacea; characterized by ocular manifestations such as dry eye, tearing and burning, swollen eyelids, recurrent sties and potential vision loss from corneal damage.
Exact causes of rosacea are unknown although blame is attributed to both environmental and hereditary factors.
One theory suggests that it’s due to a tiny mite called Demodex Folliculorum; this mite lives in hair follicles and it is believed that they can clog up the oil gland resulting in the inflammation seen in rosacea.
Another theory is that the condition is due to bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori that is found in the gut; this bacterium is known to stimulate the production of the bradykinin protein, which can cause blood vessels to expand and lead to rosacea.
If left untreated, rosacea symptoms often get worse and become more difficult to treat. Unfortunately there is no cure for this condition but there are a wide range of products and treatments available that can help to control the symptoms. Pevonia’s RS2 Line is uniquely formulated to address the signs and symptoms of this skin disorder, offering a professional and effective way to control and reduce outbreaks. A patient undergoing regular professional treatments, such as Pevonia’s RS2 Mask, and supplementing in-spa visits with suitable homecare products will see a significant improvement in their skin's condition.
As well as a good homecare routine a lifestyle change is normally necessary when dealing with rosacea as most sufferers will have a ‘trigger’ that exacerbates the condition. Common rosacea triggers include foods, such as cheese, chocolate and spices, and beverages, such as red wine, tea and coffee. Weather conditions, such as sun or wind exposure, may also contribute to the worsening of the condition, as can medications, heavy exercise, hot baths, certain cosmetics or skincare products, and emotional stress.
If you think you or someone you know might have rosacea, it’s imperative to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Once skin has been medically diagnosed, regular visits to a skin clinic that carries specialist treatments or products for rosacea will be highly beneficial for reducing major symptoms.
Avoid products containing poor ingredients which could actually make things worse; ingredients such as alcohol, mineral oil, lanolin, artificial perfume, artificial fragrance and isopropyl myristate are just a few that can seriously exacerbate symptoms. Powerful natural ingredients known to help rosacea include Green Tea which is healing and anti-bacterial, Chamomile which has a calming and distressing effect on the skin and French Rose essential oil, which calms redness and reduces stress with its light, natural fragrance.
If you have rosacea, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. There are millions of people both in the UK and across the world that are also living with the condition and every day further advances are being made in the development of effective solutions to counteract, control and reduce the visible signs and underlying causes of this issue.
