Do you blush or flush easily? When you look in the mirror, do you see redness in the center of your face? Do you also see acne-like breakouts even though your teen years ended decades ago? Where you have redness, do you see tiny veins?
If so, you might have rosacea. Common signs and symptoms include:
For some people, rosacea becomes more noticeable with time. The redness can become permanent. The skin may feel hot and tender. Your skin can become so sensitive that getting water on your face causes burning and stinging.
Some people see the affected skin grow thick - this is more common among men than women. It is caused by enlarging oil glands in the skin. When this happens to the nose, the medical term for this condition is "rhinophyma." The nose enlarges, and thick bumps can form on it.
This is a common skin condition. In the United States, millions of people have it. You have a greater likelihood of developing it if you are:
However, people of all skin colors and ages get it. It may also occur in people who have darker skin, hair, and eyes.
While it is more common in women, it can affect men more severely.
Recent research suggests this condition tends to run in families. If you have blood relatives with rosacea or severe acne, then you have a greater risk of getting it. A personal history of severe acne also increases your risk of getting it.
If you have redness on your face along with acne or small veins, you should see a board-certified dermatologist. A dermatologist can tell you whether you have it or not, and offer a treatment plan.
Although there is no cure for rosacea, treatment often controls the disease.
Many people who treat their rosacea say that treatment improves their quality of life. They feel less self-conscious. Another benefit of treatment is that it can prevent it from getting worse. Rosacea can be more difficult to treat if it gets worse.
Research shows that the most effective results come from combining treatments and tailoring treatment to a patient's signs and symptoms.
When your eyes are affected, it is called ocular rosacea. You may notice your eyes are watery or bloodshot, and feel gritty, like you have sand in your eyes. Your eyes may also burn, sting or itch. Your vision may be blurry and your eyes may be sensitive to light.
To get the best results from your treatment, dermatologists recommend that you learn what triggers your rosacea and avoid them if you can. Common triggers include spicy foods. Hot temperature drinks, caffeine. and alcoholic beverages.
Finding out what triggers your rosacea takes a bit of detective work. At the end of each day, jot down your exposure to common triggers. If it flares up, be sure to note that too.
Dermatologists can effectively treat rosacea. There are no quick fixes though. Treatment takes time to work. It also takes time to figure out what triggers it for you and sometimes a bit of creativity to avoid your triggers