What is Acne Rosacea
Acne rosacea is a misnomer. The right terminology is simply rosacea, a skin disease responsible for excessive redness of the face. The chin, the nose and the forehead are the most affected parts of the body. Rosacea appears because the tiny blood vessels in these areas dilate and become visible. Pimples may occur which leads to the associated concepts: acne rosacea. However, this condition has nothing in common with acne vulgaris, the teenagers’ plague. In fact, acne rosacea affects adults, with ages 30 to 50, in the majority of cases.
Fair-skinned people are more exposed to acne rosacea, and although it is more common in women, men usually develop the worst cases. With rosacea, there are no whiteheads or blackheads. The problem may come and go, depending on the ability of the dermal tissues to get back to normal and regain natural color. When the skin fails to return to a normal condition, the pimples arrive in association with the enlarged blood vessels. If left untreated the condition gets worse and worse.
When left untreated, acne rosacea causes a condition known as rhinophyma, the literal growth of the nose. Thick bumps appear on the lower half of the nose, and on the surrounding cheek areas. Men are the most affected by rhinophyma. Another complication of rosacea affects the eyes, first in the form of conjunctivitis and second in a condition called keratitis, which is responsible for vision impairment. Getting the right treatment when diagnosed with acne rosacea represents the best way to prevent the condition from evolving into a more serious health problem. Nevertheless, the treatment just keeps it under control, as there is no definitive cure for rosacea.
The common over-the-counter drugs used for acne vulgaris, don’t work for acne rosacea. They could actually make the condition worse. Doctors usually prescribe oral and topical antibiotics as well as short-term topical steroids in preparations to reduce the local swelling. Patients should also learn about dietary and lifestyle changes necessary to prevent an aggravation of the skin condition. Smoking, drinking and spicy foods cause blood vessels to enlarge thus worsening acne rosacea. Relief is also possible if you avoid prolonged sun exposure and extreme temperature variations: hot-cold.
If you suffer from acne rosacea you should carefully select skincare products and avoid rubbing the face or causing local irritation because of the possible damage to the blood vessels. With a bit of care and the right treatment, the condition may be kept under control and good looks preserved.
