What is Rosacea: Debunking the Myths

A whopping 14 million of the American population have rosacea. Even with this number, it seems that not everyone truly knows or understands the condition. What is it exactly?

What it is

Rosacea is a skin condition that is characterized by facial redness and inflammation. In some people, the condition may spread to the eyes, neck and upper back. Because of its symptoms, the condition is often mistaken for sunburn, allergies and acne. In fact, it is often mistakenly called adult acne. Some people may also think that the condition is caused by drinking too much alcohol. These are all inaccurate beliefs about rosacea.

Some people who have the condition may have it in an on and off pattern. The condition may seem to get better and then may gradually become worse again. In others, the condition may get worse through time especially when left untreated.

Symptoms

At the beginning, individuals may notice that they tend to blush easily and frequently. In time, blushing may become more persistent and will not show signs of disappearing. In more serious cases, the blush may appear much like sunburn. In time, tiny blood vessels on the face will become more obvious to the naked eye. One other common rosacea symptom is the appearance of pimple-like bumps. Sometimes, the bumps will contain pus.

In some cases, other symptoms will appear. The nose and eyelids may swell and the person may feel a burning sensation. The eyes may also become affected by rosacea and will redden.

Causes

The exact causes of rosacea have not been determined but several theories exist. Here are some theories about what causes rosacea:

• Heredity- Some say that the condition could be genetically inherited. You can test this theory by looking for family members who may have the condition.

• Bacterial Infection- Helicobacter pylori actually causes infection of the intestine but it is also believed by some to be the culprit behind rosacea.

• Mites- Demodex folliculorum is a type of mite that is found in the follicles of the hair. The theory is that these tiny mites clog the pores, thus inflaming the skin.

• Disorder- Another theory is that the blood vessels of people with rosacea may have a disorder which makes them swell.

It is also generally believed that there are factors that can trigger the outbreak of rosacea. Different individuals may have different triggers. It would therefore be best to try to keep your own watch on possible triggers that affect you. Keep a diary of things you do and foods you eat before outbreaks happen to help you trace triggers. Possible triggers include stress, spicy meals, hot drinks, too much sun exposure and some medications like corticosteroids.

Who is Affected

Anyone can get rosacea but it has been observed that the condition more often hits light skinned adults from 30 to 60 years old. More women than men are affected by it but the men who have the condition have more obvious symptoms. The bulbous nose for example is more often more prominent in men.