Rosacea

What Are the Symptoms?

Rosacea symptoms can vary among individuals but always involve at least one primary signs, which include:

• Flushing: Transient facial redness that may come and go.
• Persistent Redness: Facial redness resembling blush or sunburn that remains constant.
• Bumps and Pimples: Appearance of small, red, solid bumps or pus-filled pimples. Unlike acne, rosacea does not produce blackheads.
• Visible Blood Vessels: Appearance of small, thin, red lines due to enlarged blood vessels.

What Causes Rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea remains unclear. However, potential causative elements include:

• Blood Vessel, Immune or Nervous System Conditions: Studies point to a potential systemic origin.
• Microscopic Skin Mites (Demodex): Overpopulation of natural skin mites may exacerbate symptoms.
• Infection: Bacterial infections, such as H. pylori, have been implicated in some cases.
• Protein Malfunction: Malfunctioning of the cathelicidin protein, responsible for skin protection, could trigger symptoms.

How is Rosacea Treated?

Treatment aims to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Treatment options commonly utilized include:

• Medicines: Oral and topical antibiotics like doxycycline, azelaic acid, and ivermectin manage bumps and redness.
• Laser Treatment: Used for removing visible blood vessels and reducing redness.
• Surgical Procedures: Employed in severe cases, especially to correct nasal disfigurement due to rhinophyma.