Rosacea is one of the most common skin conditions affecting Americans. In fact, it’s estimated that 16 million Americans and 415 million people worldwide suffer from rosacea. The condition is chronic, but fortunately, it’s harmless. It causes red patches, spots, or sores on the skin, which can be irritating but not dangerous. Here’s some helpful information about rosacea, including its potential causes, its various types, and how to treat it.
What causes rosacea?
There is no known cause of rosacea. As with many other skin conditions, genes and environment can play a role in the condition, but it’s not known exactly how.
Some scientists suggest that abnormal blood vessels in the face or inflammation in the body could lead to rosacea, although there is no direct link. Research has been done on genetic factors and rosacea, and several genes have been identified that are thought to play a role.
Certain environmental factors have been shown to worsen rosacea, such as:
- Smoking tobacco
- Drinking alcohol
- Stress
- Intense exercise
- Drinking hot beverages
- Caffeine consumption
- Changes in weather
- Exposure to sunlight
- Spicy food
Types of rosacea
Rosacea is categorized into four different types:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes persistent reddening of the face. This type can cause small blood vessels in the face to protrude as well.
- Papulopustular rosacea leads to small red bumps on the face, which are often filled with pus. It can also cause reddening of the face, similar to the type mentioned above.
- Phymatous rosacea is a rare type of rosacea that causes facial scarring and thickening. It primarily affects men and often leads the nose to take on a large, bulbous appearance.
- Ocular rosacea affects the eyes, making them red and watery, and causing them to burn and become constantly dry. It can also cause the eyelids to swell. Some people who have another type of rosacea also develop ocular rosacea.
Treating rosacea
Rosacea can be treated in a number of different ways. Since the condition has no cure, any treatment you choose must be continued indefinitely. Fortunately, managing rosacea isn’t difficult. You may need to:
- Make different lifestyle choices. For example, avoid alcohol and spicy food, and stay out of the sun for prolonged periods of time.
- Use skin creams. Topical gels exist to treat rosacea by reducing redness and clearing up spots.
- Take medications. If you have a severe case of rosacea, you may need to go on a course of antibiotics, which will help get rid of spots or bumps on the face.
- Undergo light therapy. An experimental treatment for rosacea is called light therapy, where lasers or lights are used to reduce redness and shrink blood vessels in the face. Light therapy is usually done in conjunction with other rosacea treatments.
Written by Natan Rosenfeld