Rosacea, a skin

Rosacea is often called "Acne Rosacea" but it is quite different from acne. The red spots and pustules are dome-shaped rather than pointed. Sometimes the affected skin is swollen and hot. Rosacea affects the cheeks, nose and forehead - rarely it involves the trunk and upper limbs. Rosacea is a red, uneven facial rash that occurs in adult women and men. The cause is unknown, although there are several theories based around the overactive facial blood vessels and inflammation. These include genetic, environmental, vascular and inflammatory factors. It affects people mainly in the 30s and 40s, especially those with fair-skin, blue eyes and of Celtic origin.

Signs & Symptoms

* Frequent flushing or blushing.
* Red papules or pustules on the nose, forehead, cheeks and chin.
* A red face due to flushing and telangiectasia (persistent red veins).
* Dry, flaky facial skin.
* Easily aggravated by sun exposure and hot, spicy food and alcohol.
* Reactive to face creams, make-up, sunscreens and topical steroids.
* Red, sore or gritty eyelids (blepharitis).
* Enlarged, un-shapely nose with prominent pores (rhinophyma).

Rosacea can currently be treated but cannot be cured.

Stages of Rosacea

Redness: The cheeks or forehead appear to have a flush or sunburn. The redness is caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the skin, which allow more blood to flow and pool under the surface of the skin.
Pimples: The next stage, pimples may appear on the face. The types of pimples seen in people with Rosacea differ from acne, which are characterised by blackheads or whiteheads (comedones). In Rosacea the pimples appear as small red and solid (papules) or pus-filled (pustules). A characteristic symptom of Rosacea is thin redlines on the face which are called telangiectasia. These redlines are the dilated blood vessels that become distended under the surface of the skin.
During the early stages of Rosacea, the telangiectasia is obscured by the red colour or flushing of the cheeks, once the redness disappears the red lines become more apparent. When Rosacea is left untreated some people, mostly men, may eventually get small knobbly bumps on the nose called rhinophyma.

Standard treatment of Rosacea

Once a diagnosis of Rosacea is confirmed the standard approach to therapy will involve the use of a systemic antibiotic in combination with a topical antibiotic gel. Metronidazole was the first topical treatment approved for the treatment of Rosacea in 1989. This product can be used to help reduce Rosacea flare-ups once the disease has been brought under control. The brand name for metronidazole is MetroGel (MetroCream and and MetroLotion) which contains 0.75% metronidazole. Noritate is another product that contains 1.0% metronidazole. Once Rosacea has progressed to the stage where red lines (telangiectasis) are evident the only choices are corrective surgery or covering the red lines with makeup.

There is however an alternative treatment which has shown excellent results in the treatment of Rosacea. AcnEase® has been reported to reduce facial redness attributed to Rosacea. It also reduces the incidence and severity of acne associated with this condition. Find out more about AcnEase here.

Skin that suffers from Rosacea-like redness is influenced by outside factors called triggers. These "triggers" determine when redness occurs and/or how severe the symptoms are. To reduce the severity or occurrences of these triggers, fragile skin requires vital nutrients that will help strengthen cell function, reduce inflammation, and avoid irritation.

What is most important in helping to reduce and control the redness and associated concerns is to provide skin with agents that will help to calm and soothe current symptoms and treat and prevent future occurrences.
Murad Redness Therapy has been specially formulated with Rosacea-like redness in mind. Find out more about Murad here:

Minimising Flare Ups

- Avoid scrubbing, rubbing or massaging, which can irritate
- Avoid hot drinks, spicy food and alcohol.
- Avoid oil-based facial creams & makeup and products that contain fragrance and alcohol.
- Protect your skin from the sun using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF15 or higher.
- Avoid hot baths and showers.
- Protect your skin from extreme cold and wind.

Source: www.beautyexpert.co.uk