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Rosacea
What
is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin
condition which primarily affects men and women between the ages of 30 and
55, causing the blood vessels of the face to become inflamed and swollen,
appearing as skin
redness primarily on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.
In the early stages occasional intense blushing
attacks may occur, but if these continue, the skin may become permanently
reddened. It is also possible that spots and thread veins may appear. In
more aggressive or severe forms of Rosacea, the nose can become particularly
affected, becoming swollen and bulbous. This is known
medically as Rhinophyma and luckily is quite unusual.
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What
causes my Rosacea?
It’s not fully known what causes the first signs of Rosacea, but it is
more common in those with fair, sensitive skin types. It is also more
common in those who blush easily. This may often run in families which suggests a
genetic link.
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Will
my diet affect my Rosacea?
For most people, yes it will. A number of types of
food and drink may worsen the flushing common with Rosacea. It is
therefore important to establish links with those food and drinks you find
make your skin worse. It may take some time to find the culprits, so it
may be worth trying an exclusion diet for at least three weeks to see the
influence avoiding certain foods has.
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What
types of food and drink might I need to avoid?
A list of some of the more commonly reported ‘trigger’
foods and drinks include: spicy foods (including curries), fermented or
pickled food. Drinks including tea, coffee and a large selection of alcohol
may contribute to flushing attacks. It is worth noting that the temperature
of the food or drink may make your skin worse as rosacea is often
sensitive to temperature changes.
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So
what can I do to help myself?
Being aware of your ‘trigger ‘factors needn’t mean never enjoying a
hot meal or a alcoholic drink again. However, knowing what makes your face
feel and appear worse will help you to keep control.
It is important to keep your skin well protected
from the sun. Even during overcast days it is advisable to wear a sun
protection factor (SPF) cream of at least 15. In sunlight you should wear a
hat to keep your face as shaded and cool as possible.
There is a wide range of special camouflage cover
creams available from the British Red Cross which can be extremely
effective at disguising facial redness. This is suitable for both men and
women.
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Can
my Rosacea be treated?
Yes it can. You will need to visit your family doctor to firstly confirm
rosacea and rule out any other conditions which it can occasionally be
confused with. You can then discuss which treatments may be suitable.
Usually they may prescribe a course of antibiotic gels, creams or tablets.
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Can
Lasers Help me?
With technology racing
ahead, there are now many types of lasers which may be of some help to
reduce the redness of rosacea. It is rare to find lasers available on the
NHS, however, speak to your family doctor before contacting a laser
surgery provider, as they might be able to offer some valuable advice.
Source : - Acne Support Group
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This page was last updated on 05 December 2006 16:55:27
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