Rosacea Condition and Treatment

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea was previously referred to as ‘adult acne’ or ‘acne rosacea’, but is now proven to be completely unrelated to acne. Although Rosacea is considered common, it regularly gets confused with other conditions.

Presentation and symptoms vary in each individual, but a broad description is: A long-term facial rash characterised by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, most often associated with a fair complexion between the ages of 30-60-years old.

What Does Rosacea Look and Feel Like?

Characteristics are:

  • Red spots/pustules on forehead, cheeks and chin; sometimes affecting the trunk and upper limbs.
  • Red areas, dry or flaky facial skin, scaling
  • Red, sore, tired or gritty eyelid margins including papules and styes
  • Persistent swelling of facial areas including the eyelids
  • Frequent blushing or flushing, notably upon exposure to heat (sun or food/drink)
  • Prominent blood vessels causing consistent redness
  • Sensitive, burning or stinging skin, especially in reaction to make-up, sunscreens and other topical creams

What are the causes of Rosacea?

Current theories include genetic, environmental, vascular and inflammatory influences.

Our skin’s immune system naturally defends us, by producing compounds in just the right amounts to fight infection, heal and renew skin cells but imbalances can sometimes occur.

With Rosacea, the excess concentration of some of those compounds (like amino acids and  collagenase) trigger a chain reaction - your blood vessels dilate then leak and cause swelling and inflammation in the skin’s second layer; the dermis. This can lead to thickened tissue in your outermost layer; the epidermis.

What Makes Rosacea Flare Up?

  • Other aggravating factors are:
  • Chronic exposure to U.V. rays
  • Hot or spicy foods and drink
  • hot showers
  • Overy heated room temperatures
  • Heavy or oil-based topical facial solutions
  • Topical steroids - to be strictly avoided

How Can I Be Certain I Have Rosacea?

Highly experienced dermatologists make a reliable diagnosis of rosacea. Their training allows them to determine even the most subtle difference in how conditions present themselves on your skin.

How Can I Treat My Rosacea?

Our skilled dermatologists and their expert team will teach you how best to manage your symptoms. Following a thorough consultation, you’ll receive a tailored treatment plan, using a multi-faceted approach addressing the causes relevant to you.

Oral medications - Antibiotics, retinoids (Isotretinoin), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g Voltaren).

Topical creams - antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, Vitamin-A

Medications which target symptoms of flushing, facial redness and inflammation

Laser treatments, cautery, diathermy or sclerotherapy to minimise broken capillaries

Surgical treatment for thickening of the skin tissue

Are there additional ways can I manage my Rosacea?

Reduce the factors you know to be causing flushing e.g. hot foods/showers/sun/heaters, and drinking alcohol.

Use light oil-free facial creams/sunscreens/makeup.

Holding an ice block in your mouth (between the gum and cheek), is helpful to some for temporary relief

Important - NEVER apply a topical steroid to your rosacea