(Rose-AY-sha) is a common skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face. Often referred to as adult acne, rosacea may begin as a tendency to flush or blush easily, and progress to persistent redness in the center of the face that may gradually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. It also may involve the ears, chest and back. As the disease progresses, small blood vessels and tiny pimples begin to appear on and around the reddened area; however, unlike acne there are no blackheads.
When it first develops, rosacea may come and go on its own. When the skin doesn?t return to its normal color and when other symptoms, such as pimples and enlarged blood vessels become visible, it?s best to seek advise from a dermatologist. The condition rarely reverses itself and may last for years. It can become worse without treatment.

Who is at risk for rosacea?

Those most likely to develop rosacea are fair-skinned adults, especially women between the ages of 30 and 50 although it may affect men or women of any age, even children. For some unknown reason, women get rosacea more often than men, and some cases of this disorder have been associated with menopause. Rosacea usually develops over a long period of time. It may first seem like a tendency to blush easily, a ruddy complexion, or an extreme sensitivity to cosmetics. An occasional embarrassment or tense moment may also trigger flushing.

Dos and Don’ts for Rosacea patients:

The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown. The best prevention may be to avoid things that make the face red or flushed.

•  Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, caffeine and alcoholic beverages. It is important to note that although alcohol may worsen a case of rosacea, symptoms may be just as severe in someone who doesn’t drink at all. This condition has been unfairly linked to alcoholism.
• Practice good sun protection. This includes limiting exposure to sunlight, wearing hats and using broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF of 15 or higher and avoiding extreme hot and cold temperatures, which may exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea.
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or massaging the face. Rubbing will tend to irritate the reddened skin.
• Exercise in a cool environment. Do not overheat.
• Avoid irritating cosmetics and facial products. Use hair sprays properly.
• Keep a diary of flushing episodes and note associated foods, products, activities, medications or other triggering factors.

What are the treatment options for rosacea?

Many people with rosacea are unfamiliar with it and do not recognize it in its early stages. Identifying the disease is the first step to controlling it. Self-diagnosis and treatment are not recommended, as some over-the-counter skin applications may make the problem worse.

Dermatologists often recommend a combination of treatments tailored to the individual patient. Together, these treatments can stop the progress of rosacea and sometime reverse it.

Gels and creams may be prescribed by a dermatologist. A slight improvement can been seen in the first three to four weeks of use. Greater improvement is usually noticed in two months.
Oral antibiotics tend to produce faster results than topical medications.

Cortisone creams may reduce the redness of rosacea. However, they should not be used for longer than two weeks and strong preparations should be avoided. It is best to use these creams under the direction of your dermatologist.

The persistent redness may be treated with a small electric needle or by laser surgery to close off the dilated blood vessels. Cosmetics may offer an alternative to the more specific treatment. Green tinted makeup may mask the redness.

It is important to eliminate factors that cause additional skin irritation. Daily facial products such as soap, moisturizers and sun screens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers used along with topical medications should be applied very gently after the medication has dried. When going outdoors, especially on warm sunny days, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are necessary.