For those living with rosacea, the all-too-familiar feel of your face flushing, feeling hot, getting tender or breaking out in bumps can be devastating. Because it affects such a visible area, usually the face and chest, it can affect one’s confidence and day-to-day interactions. There is, however, hope for those who suffer from this condition. Read on to learn more about the causes and treatment options for rosacea.
WHAT IS ROSACEA?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the face. It is characterized by facial redness, pimples and broken blood vessels. In advanced cases, the skin can become thickened, mainly around the nose. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea. However, there are treatment options that can help control the symptoms as well as arrest its progression. Continue reading to learn more about the causes and treatment of rosacea.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON SIGN OF ROSACEA?
The primary diagnostic and most obvious sign of rosacea is redness that affects more than 16 million Americans. These flare-ups of redness, bumps or broken blood vessels can last for weeks or even months. On occasion, rosacea is misdiagnosed as acne because of its similarity in skin texture and inflammation. Light-skinned, middle-aged women are at the highest risk of developing this condition.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT ROSACEA?
While the direct cause of rosacea is still unclear, we do know that a combination of hereditary and environmental factors could be to blame. Anyone can develop rosacea, but there are precautions you can take to prevent flare-ups and severity.
Avoid Your Triggers
The top ten rosacea triggers are sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather, wind, heavy exercise, alcohol consumption, hot baths, humidity and irritating ingredients found in skincare products. While this list is long, you can begin to understand your triggers by retracing your steps when you’re experiencing a flare-up and taking note of your circumstances.
Use Sun Protection
Sun protection is always a vital part of skin care, but especially for those with rosacea. Sun exposure naturally leads to a rise in body temperature and flushing, leading to a rosacea flare-up. Sun damage also damages the fibers under the skin, causes blood vessels to dilate permanently and leads to rosacea.
Choosing the Right Skincare Products
Choosing the right combination of skincare products is challenging but vital to skin health. If you’re someone who experiences symptoms of rosacea, this might be even more difficult to navigate. If you have rosacea, you should avoid products with alcohol, fragrances, acetone, preservatives or other harsh ingredients. Instead, your priority is to protect your skin from the sun, reduce inflammation and avoid allergens. The Dermatology Center for Skin Health has a wide selection of individualized products to suit your skin’s needs.
Not All Triggers Can Be Avoided
While you can take all the proper precautions, skin can still be unpredictable. Triggers like stress, sun exposure and humid or extreme weather are out of your control. This is frustrating, but there are still treatment options for flare-ups that occur when you least expect it.
Treatments can consist of a mixture of good skincare and medical treatment. There are topical medications, oral antibiotics and acne drugs that have all been shown to help reduce signs and symptoms of flare-ups even after they’ve started. You can also try other treatments like laser treatment, photodynamic light therapy, alternative medicines or home remedies to reduce redness and inflammation.
VISIT YOUR DERMATOLOGIST | THE DERMATOLOGY CENTER FOR SKIN HEALTH, PLLC
Rosacea is a challenging skin condition, and it can be frustrating to try to understand it alone. However, the wbh.qra.mybluehost.me is here to help you understand your skin and find the proper treatment. If you have any questions about rosacea or what treatment is best for you, give us a call at (304) 598-3888 or click here.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Written by Dr. Michele Maouad
Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Michele Maouad is a highly skilled and experienced American board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. She completed medical school at West Virginia University and dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Maouad established her private practice, the Dermatology Center for Skin Health PLLC, in 2005. Dr. Maouad is an advocate for her patients and insures they receive the best dermatologic care. She continually updates her knowledge and skills at national medical conferences to ensure her patients receive only the most current and advanced care.
