Rosacea: Causes and Treatment Options
There seems to be an endless list of skincare concerns – from eczema and acne breakouts to issues such as psoriasis. But a ruddy complexion is one flaw that many people don’t always talk about. Ruddiness falls under irritation or inflammation since it causes your skin to appear red, blotchy, and dull. You may have natural ruddiness, but sometimes it may be caused by skin conditions such as rosacea. Pinpointing the exact cause of a ruddy appearance can be challenging, but there are various natural remedies and treatments to help you achieve the glow Pittsboro that you desire.
As previously mentioned, ruddiness may result from certain skin conditions; this article explores rosacea as one of its causes.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common long-term condition that mainly affects your face, causing redness or blushing in the central part of your face. You may also have visible blood vessels in your face and small bumps filled with pus inside. Blushing or flushing is a common sign of rosacea and is easily noticeable in people with light skin. These signs also appear in people with darker skin tones, but the flushing is often less noticeable, making it harder for people with dark or brown skin to get the right diagnosis. Rosacea has no cure; you may experience a flare-up of symptoms for weeks to months, followed by a remission period. However, long-term treatments can help you control rosacea to some degree and reduce the signs and symptoms.
What causes rosacea?
There is no known cause for rosacea, but it could be due to an overactive immune system and abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face. Several triggers can worsen this skin condition. They include extreme temperatures, exercise, sun or wind, emotions, hot drinks, spicy food, alcoholic beverages, and certain blood pressure medications. A flare-up of rosacea symptoms may also be due to some skin or hair care products. Flushing may also be due to menopause. Because there are numerous possible triggers for rosacea, it is important to identify yours to prevent frequent flare-ups. Keeping a diary for when symptoms appear helps; make it detailed by including the environmental conditions and what you suspect may have triggered your symptoms.
Treatment for rosacea
Rosacea treatment focuses on controlling the signs and symptoms rather than curing the condition. Most treatments involve a combination of prescription drugs and good skin care. Your doctor may prescribe a cream or gel; you apply on the affected skin to reduce spots and redness. Improvement is usually noticeable within 12 hours after use. However, the effect of topical medication on blood vessels is temporary; apply it regularly to maintain the improvement.
Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics such as doxycycline for moderate to severe rosacea with bumps and pimples. Some cases of rosacea may benefit from laser therapy. The laser focuses on visible veining, making it most effective on light skin. Laser therapy may cause permanent discoloration of the treated skin for individuals with dark or brown skin.
If you have further questions about rosacea, consult your specialist at Sanford Dermatology.