Rosacea

Types of rosacea

There are four types of rosacea:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR)
  ETR also known as subtype one, is characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels and flushing
• Papulopustular (acne)
  Papulopustularalso known as subtype two rosacea, appears like acne and occurs most frequently in middle-aged women.
• Rhinophyma
  Rhinophyma, or subtype three rosacea, is a characterized by thickening skin on and around the nose. Rhinophyma most often affects men.
• Ocular rosacea
  Ocular rosacea, also known as subtype four rosacea, is characterized by redness, swelling on and around the eye.

Causes of rosacea

Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, it has been associated with environmental factors or family history.

Triggers that can amplify the appearance of rosacea include:

• Eating spicy foods or drinking hot drinks
• Exposure to sunlight or wind
• Drinking alcohol
• Stress
• Cosmetics
• Exercise
• Medications that dilate your blood vessels

Risk factors for rosacea

Risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing rosacea include:

• Age
  Rosacea is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50.
• Skin tone
  People who are fair-skinned and have blond hair and blue eyes are more likely to develop rosacea.
• Genetics
  You are more likely to develop rosacea if you have a family history of rosacea or if your ancestors are from Scandinavia or Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
• Gender
  Women are more likely to develop rosacea than men.

Symptoms of rosacea

Symptoms of rosacea include:

• Redness on the face
  Persistent redness on your nose or cheeks that is caused by small blood vessels that become swollen under the skin.
• Swollen red bumps
  Small, red bumps on the face that look like acne.
• Eye problems
  Many people with rosacea experience eye dryness, irritation and swollen, red eyelids.
• Thickened skin on your nose
  In rare cases, the skin can thicken on your nose. This symptom is more common in men than women.

Diagnosis of rosacea

Your doctor will likely diagnose rosacea in a clinic visit. He or she will evaluate your medical history, examine your skin and potentially order tests to rule out other skin conditions. Conditions such as lupus, psoriasis, eczema or acne have similar symptoms as rosacea.

Treatments for rosacea

There is not a cure for rosacea, so the goal of treatment is to alleviate the signs and symptoms to improve appearance and quality of life. As a first-line therapy, your doctor may recommend that you follow conservative treatment options to reduce symptoms or prevent flare-ups of rosacea.

Rosacea treatments may include:

• Avoid triggers that causes your flare-ups
• Apply sunscreen daily to protect your face
• Avoid rubbing or touching your face too much
• Apply makeup as a cover-up