Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is mild to severe redness of the skin typically on the nose, cheeks, forehead or chin. Although it’s most common on the face it can also appear on the scalp, ears and upper body.
Rosacea most often occurs in women after the age of 30 though it can appear at other ages and in men as well. People with fair skin and those who blush easily are most susceptible to rosacea, however it has been known to affect all skin types and ethnicities. It tends to run in families and has a higher incidence rate in people from the British Isles, Scandinavian countries and Eastern Europe.
In the early stages rosacea can be marked by flare-ups and then a retreat of symptoms. But over time and without medical intervention the symptoms get progressively worse. There is no cure for rosacea but there are many treatments that can lessen or reduce many of the unpleasant symptoms.
Symptoms Progress If Untreated
In mild form rosacea can appear like a blush on the cheeks but if the disorder progress untreated it can show up as red spider-like veins under the skin. Eventually pimple-like pustules or papules can form (a papule is a red bump like a pustule but with no white liquid inside).
As it progresses rosacea can cause thickening of the skin and eyelids. Often people with rosacea can develop watery, bloodshot eyes. In extreme cases the corneas themselves can become affected and without medical intervention vision can be endangered.
In men, a thick, red bulbous nose (called rhinophyma), typified by 1930s film star W.C. Fields, is a familiar characteristic of advanced rosacea. Rosacea symptoms are seen as worse in men but one theory for this is that men delay seeing a doctor until the disease has advanced.
Definitive Signs of Rosacea
The symptoms of rosacea increase over time if left untreated but the order in which they appear varies. According to the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee ( http://www.rosacea.org/class/classysystem.php ) people suffering from rosacea have at least one of the following conditions.
• Occasional flushing of the face. Sometimes this is later realized to have been the first sign of the disorder.
• Ongoing redness in the face; like a sunburn that never fades.
• Red bumps or pimples that might burn or sting. Similar to acne but without blackheads.
• Visible blood vessels on the skin.
Symptoms Common to Rosacea
• Rough or dry-looking skin.
• Spread of rosacea symptoms to upper body including chest, neck, ears and scalp.
• Raised, red sections of skin called “plaques” surrounded by normal skin.
• Itching, tightness or burning of the face.
• Thickening of skin, especially noticeable around eyelids and nose. The development of thickened skin on the nose is called rhinophyma and is seen more often in men.
• Edema or facial swelling is a potential rosacea symptom as is swelling of the eyes.
Affects Appearance and Confidence
Only in extreme cases does rosacea pose a health risk, but for appearance reasons alone it’s something people want to treat right away before it progresses. Clearly it’s hard to feel confident facing the world if you’re self-conscious about facial lines and redness.
Medical Treatment Recommended
Lifestyle and skin care changes can help lessen symptoms but because rosacea gets worse over time it’s strongly recommended that anyone suffering rosacea-like symptoms see a medical professional to receive a definitive diagnosis and learn about effective treatment options.
Medical Treatment Recommended
Lifestyle and skin care changes can help reduce rosacea symptoms [http://clearskinblemishes.com/rosacea-treatments-natural-and-medical/] but because rosacea gets worse over time it’s strongly recommended that anyone suffering from rosacea-like symptoms see a medical professional to receive a definitive diagnosis and learn about medicinal rosacea treatment options [http://clearskinblemishes.com/obagi-rosaclear-reviews/].
