Is rosacea making you red in the face? Dealing with rosacea can be a daunting task. First off, you have to figure out that you have it. That can take a while because the condition comes and goes based on environmental and internal factors. Once it’s diagnosed, you have to figure out what to do about it because it is a chronic condition that can worsen without treatment. It can even cause permanent disfigurement. If you think that you may be having rosacea flare-ups, keep reading. We are going to guide you through everything that you need to know about rosacea and what you can do to treat it. Don’t be faced with rosacea any longer!

What is Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness to form across the nose and cheeks. Rarely, but rosacea signs and symptoms may also spread beyond the face, most commonly on the ears, chest, or scalp. The bad news is that it is chronic. The good news is that it is treatable.

Causes of Rosacea

The cause of rosacea is still unknown. Rosacea may develop in many ways and at any age. Surveys have indicated that it typically shows up after age 30 as flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. The redness comes and goes, but over time the redness can become ruddier and more persistent. Although there is no cure, symptoms can be effectively controlled with medical treatment and lifestyle changes.

How do I know

Rosacea is diagnosed by the presence of these two major symptoms:

• Persistent facial redness that resembles a blush or sunburn that does not go away.
• Skin Thickening and enlarging from excess tissue, particularly on the nose.

Other symptoms of rosacea include the presence of at least two of the following:

• Flushing
• Bumps and Pimples
• Visible Blood Vessels
• Eye Irritation

In addition to those signs and symptoms, you may also have:

• Burning or stinging sensations on the face.
• Itching or a feeling of tightness.
• Facial swelling
• Raised red patches
• Dryness
• Rough scaly skin

Triggers to Rosacea flare-ups

Anything that causes the rosacea on your face to flare is called a trigger. Triggers differ from person to person. Yours could be caused by:

• Sunlight
• Stress
• Heat
• Alcohol, especially red wine
• Spicy foods
• Some skin and hair care products
• Some makeup
• Wind and cold
• Some medicines
• Exercise

Important to know your triggers

Knowing what your rosacea triggers are and making some simple changes can help you:

• Reduce flare-ups
• Get optimal results from treatment
• Keep rosacea from worsening

Rosacea flares can turn into major problems. Every time your skin flushes, it may stay red for a little bit longer. Then rosacea may start to spread to more of your skin. Repeated flushing can even lead to skin that stays permanently red. Your skin may thicken, and blood vessels may become visible. You may also develop inflammatory bumps and pimples, or your nose may swell and get bumpy from excess tissue. Rosacea can also affect the eyes. 50% of patients have reported that their eyes feel irritated and appear watery or bloodshot.

Prevention – Faced with Rosacea

If you pinpoint your triggers, then you know what to avoid. Among the top lifestyle changes that you can make to prevent rosacea flare-ups are:

• Reduce stress
• Practice yoga, tai chi, or meditation.
• Join a rosacea support group.
• Do something that you enjoy every day.
• Use a gentle, broad-spectrum sunscreen with (SPF 30+) every day.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Stay in the shade and out of the midday sun.
• Take warm showers and baths rather than hot ones.
• Dress in layers and remove clothing if you start to feel overheated.
• Place a cold, wet cloth around your neck if you get too hot.
• Avoid close proximity to fireplaces, heaters, and other heat sources.
• Drink iced coffee or tea rather than hot
• If you do have a hot beverage, let it cool to warm or lukewarm before your drink it.
• Drink white wine instead of red.
• Water down alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid alcohol altogether or limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks, and drink a large glass of cold water after each one.
• Stop eating spicy foods.
• Ask a dermatologist for rosacea and recommended skincare and makeup products.
• Avoid using astringents and toners and products containing menthol, camphor, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
• Talk with your doctor about medicines you could be taking that can worsen rosacea.
• Protect your face from wind and cold.
• Stay cool while exercising.

Treatments – Faced with Rosacea

The first thing that you can do is to avoid the triggers that cause your rosacea flare-ups.

Repeated flushing can make treatment more difficult and even render treatments that were working ineffectively. Dermatologists often ask patients to find their triggers and begin to avoid them before beginning treatment so that they are one step ahead of flare-ups.

The next thing you can do is seek help from a dermatologist. They have the capacity and resources to help keep flare-ups under control. Depending on your situation, they may prescribe you medication or talk with you about an in-office treatment like laser therapy.

A range of topical and oral medications are available to treat the various signs and symptoms associated with rosacea disorder. Because each case of rosacea is different, your dermatologist will create a customized treatment plan just for you. This plan may include:

1. Medical therapy to control the redness.
2. Oral or topical medications to immediately relieve bumps and pimples
3. An anti-inflammatory therapy to maintain remission.
4. Laser treatments, intense pulsed light treatment, or other medical and surgical devices to remove visible blood vessels or correct disfigurement of the nose.

A gentle rosacea-friendly skincare routine is crucial in controlling rosacea. Your dermatologist or medical esthetician can direct you to skincare products that will not cause flare-ups and even calm your skin.

Are you ready to get a customized plan of treatment for rosacea on your face? Don’t be faced with rosacea! Contact us today for a consultation.

Resources

Surveys

Triggers to Rosacea