Understanding Rosacea Acne

If you find that your nose shares an uncanny likeness to the nose of W.C. Fields, then you just might be sharing the condition he suffered from during his youth – Rosacea. Rosacea is one of the many chronic forms of adult acne and affects 1 in 4 people around the world, making it one of the most prevalent acne conditions. As per a 2010 report by the NRS and highlighted by the Rosacea Review, nearly 16 million Americans alone will be afflicted with Rosacea acne in the coming decade and many more, may be in ‘temporary remission’. Though this type of acne is irrepressible and affects mostly adults (between the ages 30-60), the awareness for this chronic skin condition is rising steadily. Read on –

What Causes Rosacea?                                                     

There is no definite answer to this question. Though Rosacea can be triggered by excessive sunlight, hot beverages, spicy/oily foods, hormonal imbalances or certain types of medication, the chronic nature of the acne cannot fully be attributed to these reasons. There are various other theories suggested by dermatologists, including –

• A blood disorder wherein the blood vessels swell, causing the skin to appear bumpy and red in patches.
• A genetic problem passed down from one generation to the next and further triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, dust, etc.
• Skin mites clogging pores
  

What Are The Symptoms?

• Rosacea affects the central parts of the face – particularly the T-zone region. Flare-ups, itchiness and large red patches on the nose, cheeks and chin are the common signs to look out for.
• ‘Rhinophyma’ is an associated condition wherein the nose swells due to the redness and is covered in large, painful bumps.
• Along with the acne flare-ups, if you find that you are suffering from bouts of migraine attacks, regular conjunctivitis or other patchy problems on the eyelids, you might be suffering from Rosacea and also many of its other related conditions.
• You notice that over time, the condition worsens and your face becomes more sensitive to sunlight.
  

With timely recognition and suitable medical treatments, rosacea symptoms can be alleviated. In addition, the daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists.