How red would you want your skin to be? How pinkish would you want your cheek glow to be? Everybody is looking for their perfect skin care partner. But do you know that there instances when that perfect reddish glow isn’t normal?
Putting a Description to a Concept
Rosacea, a chronic skin disorder affecting more than 14 million individuals from North America alone, upsets women ages 30 to 60 years old. It is a chronic, inflammatory disorder characterized by episodes of waxing and waning.
They are often typified by acne-like pustules. It I , by far, one of the most commonly undertreated disorder.
The Scope
Stats say that more than 14 million Americans are already affected by the disorder. Globally, there are about 4.5 million individuals with the disease.
What are the risk factors that can predispose you to rosacea?
- Age group of 30-60 years old
- Sex: Women primarily
- Race: Caucasians
- Fair-skinned individuals
- Family history of rosacea
- History of redness or recurrent skin flushing that waxes and wanes
The Etiology
Scientists are arguing over the real cause of rosacea. Up to this point, there are no clear and real causes for rosacea. However, it is attributed to various hereditary and environmental factors.
Most, if not all, of these factors have vasodilating effects (dilation of blood vessels) – the primary mechanism associated with rosacea.
Rosacea, whether it’s developing or on a relapse period may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
- Certain foods and beverages such as spicy foods, foods with extreme temperatures and alcohol
- Extremes in environmental temperatures
- Sudden changes in weather
- Stress
- Hot saunas or baths
- Extreme sun exposure
- Certain medications such as steroids and antihypertensive meds
Symptomatology
Here is a list of symptoms which you might want to alert yourself with.
Extreme and/or recurrent facial blushing or flushing most especially after sun exposure- A burning sensation on the skin
- Pus-filled pustules
- Visible vessels on the cheeks
- Bumps and lumps
As you might have noticed, it is characterized by the same symptoms you find with acne.
How do you differentiate?
- It doesn’t respond well to typical acne treatments.
- It recurs every now and then, most especially if you got yourself attached to some trigger factors such as stress, hot beverages or alcohol.
The Diagnosis
There is no specific diagnostic test that can directly say that you have rosacea. The diagnosis of this disorder relies on the expertise and clinical eye of your doctor. More so, he or she might require you some laboratory tests to support their diagnosis.
The Cure
Rosacea is rarely cured. It is a disorder for life. It is treated by symptomatology. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and steroids may be given in a conjunctive therapy.
Lifestyle modifications are necessary if you are living with the disease. Avoiding factors which might trigger flare-ups is important.
Since the disorder ensues through life, curing isn’t the priority. Living and coping with it top the list. After all, rosacea isn’t life but life with rosacea is still life.








