Living with Rosacea

What is Rosacea?

Living with Rosacea can be challenging, but with the right knowledge, it is possible to lead a fulfilling life while effectively managing the symptoms.

In this complete guide, we will explore what Rosacea is, its causes, symptoms, and triggers, as well as practical tips for managing this common skin condition.​

Understanding the Causes of Rosacea

While there are various potential causes for rosacea, such as abnormalities in facial blood vessels or an allergic reaction on the face, the exact underlying cause of the condition is still unknown.

Numerous triggers that could exacerbate rosacea have been identified, even though they are not believed to be the condition's primary causes.

These consist of:

• Sunlight exposure
• Stress
• Hot or cold weather
• Hot drinks, alcohol, and caffeine
• Spicy foods

What are the Types of Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic condition that produces facial redness and swollen, visible blood vessels.

The types of rosacea are:

Papulopustular: Pimples that appear on your skin and are pus or fluid-filled. Your skin may enlarge, and acne-like signs may appear.

Phymatous: The symptoms make your skin thicken and bulge. Your skin may feel rough, and your nose is usually the most affected area. Your nose may appear bulbous due to symptoms.

Ocular: Rosacea may have an impact on your eyes, making them feel itchy, or watery. Your eyes will be sensitive to light, and styes, and unpleasant lumps might develop on your eyelids.

What are the Common Symptoms of Rosacea?

There are several symptoms associated with rosacea.

Rosacea's primary signs and symptoms include:

• Skin Flushing
• Prominent blood vessels
• Thickened Skin
• Papules and Pustules

Other rosacea signs and symptoms include:

• Dry, rough skin which causes burning, itching, stinging, and pain
• Face swelling (lymphoedema) and
• Raised red spots (plaques) on your skin

Flushing

Flushing occurs when your skin briefly turns red, typically for a few minutes. Although it might affect your neck and chest, it often mostly affects your face.

Sometimes the redness may be accompanied by an uncomfortable heat sensation.

Flushing in rosacea is frequently brought on by a specific stimulus, such as sunlight exposure, hot beverages, or activity.

Persistent redness in the face

Erythema, or persistent face redness, resembles a persistent sunburn patch, a blush, or blotchy skin sometimes linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

The cheeks, nose, and chin are typically the first places where the redness appears, but it can also progress to the forehead, neck, and chest.

Prominent blood vessels

The skin's blood vessels may enlarge (dilate) with time and become permanently obvious.

Pustules and papules

Round red pimples that erupt from your skin called papules and pustules may appear if you have rosacea.

Where do Symptoms of Rosacea Affect the Body?

The symptoms of rosacea primarily affect the face, particularly the central region. Here are the common areas where rosacea symptoms may appear:

Cheeks: Redness, flushing, and persistent erythema can be observed on the cheeks. This is one of the most common areas affected by rosacea.

Nose: The nose may become red, swollen, and bumpy. In some cases, the condition called rhinophyma can develop, causing the nose to appear enlarged and bulbous.

Forehead: Redness and visible blood vessels can appear on the forehead. Flushing and persistent redness may also occur in this area.

Chin: Rosacea may cause redness, small bumps, and visible blood vessels on the chin.

It's important to note that while rosacea primarily affects the face, it can also affect the eyes, leading to ocular rosacea.

Ocular symptoms may include dryness, irritation, redness, gritty sensation, and even vision problems.

If you experience any eye-related symptoms, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or an eye specialist.

Remember, rosacea symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience all of the symptoms mentioned above.

It's advisable to consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of your specific symptoms.

What Triggers Rosacea Symptoms?

Each person with rosacea has triggers that bring on a flare-up of their symptoms.

Possible causes of rosacea include:

• Exposure to the sun
• Extreme temperature
• Stress
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spicy foods
• Hormonal imbalance

Make a note of the foods, drinks, skincare products, activities, and how those things affected your skin that day if you're unsure of what causes your rosacea symptoms.

This can assist you in identifying potential triggers for your symptoms.

What Foods should I Avoid if I have Rosacea?

While triggers can vary from person to person, certain foods are commonly associated with triggering rosacea symptoms.

It's important to note that individual reactions to specific foods can differ, so it's advisable to keep a food diary and observe how your skin reacts to different foods.

Here are some common foods that individuals with rosacea may want to avoid:

Spicy Foods: Spicy foods can cause flushing and trigger rosacea in many individuals. This includes foods seasoned with hot spices like chili peppers, cayenne pepper, and hot sauces.

Alcohol: Alcohol, particularly red wine, beer, and hard liquor, is a known trigger for rosacea symptoms. It can cause flushing, redness, and increased sensitivity of the skin.

Hot Beverages: Hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot cocoa can lead to flushing and worsen rosacea symptoms. Opt for cooler or iced versions of these beverages, if possible.

Histamine-Rich Foods: Histamine is a compound involved in allergic reactions and can contribute to flushing and inflammation. Foods high in histamine include aged cheese, fermented foods, cured meats, and certain seafood like tuna, mackerel, and shellfish.

Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, are acidic and can potentially trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms in some individuals.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are acidic and can cause flushing and increased redness in some individuals with rosacea. This includes tomato-based products like sauces and soups.

Dairy Products: Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, have been reported to aggravate rosacea symptoms in certain individuals. Dairy contains proteins that may stimulate inflammation.

Note: Each person's triggers can be unique, so it's essential to identify your triggers through careful observation and consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

How is Rosacea Treated?

Rosacea cannot be cured, but a dermatologist can effectively treat rosacea and control it.

It is recommended to wear sunscreen every day to protect the skin to prevent flare-ups.

Depending on the patient's symptoms, the course of treatment may include both oral and topical antibiotic therapy.

To improve skin, doctors may choose to employ laser skin therapy.

People with Ocular rosacea should also visit an ophthalmologist for additional testing and therapy.

Antibiotics or steroid eye drops are the main treatments for patients with ocular rosacea.

Which treatment is best for you will be determined by your main healthcare practitioner.

Each person's rosacea treatment plan is unique and focuses on symptom reduction as well as keeping things from becoming worse.

Possible rosacea treatments include:

There are several different oral and topical medications available to treat bumps, pimples, and redness brought on by rosacea. Medication aids in symptom management and decreases the frequency of flare-ups.

Laser treatment: Your doctor may use lasers to reduce the amount of skin redness and eliminate visible blood vessels.

Surgical procedures: If your condition is severe, your doctor may advise surgery to repair any disfigurement of the nose that may result from rhinophyma.

FAQs

Can rosacea be cured?

Currently, there is no known cure for rosacea. However, with appropriate management and lifestyle changes, it is possible to control and reduce the symptoms.

Seeking professional guidance from a dermatologist is recommended for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

How is rosacea diagnosed?

Rosacea is typically diagnosed through a physical examination by a dermatologist.

The doctor will evaluate your symptoms, and medical history, and may ask about potential triggers.

In some cases, further tests may be conducted to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Can diet affect rosacea?

Diet can play a role in triggering rosacea symptoms in some individuals.

Spicy foods, alcohol, hot beverages, and certain histamine-rich or high glycemic index foods have been reported as potential triggers.

Keeping a food diary and identifying personal triggers can help manage symptoms.

Can stress worsen rosacea symptoms?

Yes, stress and emotional factors can contribute to rosacea flare-ups.

It's important to manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and seeking support when needed.

Conclusion

Living with Rosacea may be challenging, but it is possible to minimise symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and improve overall well-being with proper knowledge and effective strategies.

By understanding the causes, identifying triggers, adopting suitable skincare routines, and seeking professional advice, people can successfully manage Rosacea and live a fulfilling life.

References

• Feaster B, et al. Clinical effectiveness of novel rosacea therapies. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.coph.2018.12.001.
  
• Soolantra (prescribing information). Galderma Laboratories. 2018. https://www.galderma.com/us/sites/g/files/jcdfhc341/files/2019-01/Soolantra_Cream_PI.pdf.
• Kelly AP, et al., eds. Laser treatment. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. 
• Lucas, JL, Tomecki KJ. Acne and Rosacea. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2010. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2010: section 3.
• Abram K., Silm H., Maaroos H. et al. Risk Factors Associated with Rosacea (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19874433/). J Eur Acad of Dermatol Venereol. 24: 565-571. 
• Maier LE. Rosacea: Pathogenesis, clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.