Acne rosacea, commonly known as rosacea, is a non-cancerous skin disease that usually affects people between the age group of 30-50 years. Its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods are summarized in this article.
Acne rosacea is an inflammatory skin disorder that affects the areas of the face that blush usually, i.e., near the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. The patient may find red spots and cysts on the face. People who have light skin are more vulnerable towards this condition. It is more commonly found in women than men, but it affects men much more severely. A point to note is that it does not have blackheads or whiteheads like teenage acne.
Causes
Although it is a common skin diseas, its causes are still not known clearly. The presence of certain bacteria on the skin is possibly responsible for its development. It is also believed that people who blush a lot are more prone to it. Genetics is also considered to be one of the contributing factors. Too much exposure to the sun may also be a reason. People who indulge in excessive alcohol consumption and spicy food are also believed to be prone to it. Sometimes, even stress, anxiety, fear, etc., are believed to be the reasons. However, none of the above mentioned factors have been proven to be the definite cause of this skin disease.
Symptoms
The first and the most common symptom is flushing. The face of the person grows red and looks like a case of sun burn. An individual may also find small red bumps and cysts on the face. It is usually a mild disorder, but if it aggravates, one may also be able to see tiny blood vessels under the skin. This serious condition is called ‘telangiectasia’. Severe rosacea can also affect the nose, where the size of the nose enlarges and the cheeks become puffy. Sometimes, a person can also develop eye problems, like conjunctivitis. The person may feel burning, itching, and dryness in the eyes. Usually, this condition is neither itchy nor painful, but if it is severe, then the individual may experience a burning sensation in the affected areas of the skin.
Treatment
Even though this disease is a type of acne, it does not go away completely, as in the case of other acne. However, there are a variety of treatments that help in lessening its effect. Skin specialists are likely to prescribe oral antibiotics, like tetracycline, amoxicillin, minocycline, and doxycycline. One may also be advised to apply topical creams to reduce skin inflammation, and will be advised to avoid harsh soaps. Instead, they would be recommended to use skin-sensitive cleaners.
If the condition is very severe, the doctor may advise the patient to go in for laser treatment. Each person may be recommended a different style of treatment according to his or her skin type and respective condition. These measures may not eliminate the disorder completely, but help in controlling it from aggravating. One should also not take any medicines or use any cream without consulting a doctor, as any wrong medicine can make the condition of the face and the symptoms even worse.
Acne rosacea can neither be cured nor can it be prevented. Other than the medications suggested by the doctor, a person affected by it should take proper care of the skin. One should also protect the skin from getting damaged by the sun by applying sunscreen before going out. It is also important to wash the face regularly to keep it clean and away from infection.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
