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What
is Rosacea?
Rosacea,
previously called acne rosacea, is a chronic disorder of middle
age affecting the flush area of the face manifesting with
telangiectasia(dilated blood vessels), red coloration, and
papular or pustular lesions.
The basic pathology in rosacea is dilatation of the dermal vasculature
of the face associated with solar damage to the elastic tissue and
the connective tissue of the dermis. A normal resident mite of the
pilary canal seems to multiply faster and compound the problems in
rosacea patients.
The onset of rosacea is
usually in the middle age, with females being afflicted more than
males. The severity of the disease is more in males, though. At
first there is only mild flushing in the centre of face, nose or
central forehead. Blood vessels dilate in the area later and with
exacerbating factors, papules and pustules appear.
Exacerbating
Factors of Rosacea
The
following factors can either induce or aggravate rosacea:
-
Alcohol
-
Sun
Exposure
-
Heat
-
Hot,
spicy food
-
Hot
Coffee
-
Steroid
applications
-
Vasodilator
drugs
-
Stress
-
Associated
migraine
Complications
of Rosacea
Rosacea,
if left untreated and untended, can cause serious disfiguration on the
face and eyes.
-
Involvement
of eye: Redness, watering, ulceration of cornea etc
-
Granulomatous
thickening of the skin over nose(Known as Rhynophyma) and mid face.
Rosacea Treatment
-
Avoidance
of triggers
-
Oral
Tetracyclines
-
Sun
Protection
-
Metronidazole
-
Topical:
I have got very good responses in my patients with simple topical
metronidazole gel and cream. I avoid topical steroids, but resort
to mild steroid applications for shorter duration to tide over
inflammatory phase.
-
Oral
isotertinoin have proved useful in many cases
-
Rhinophyma
is treated by surgical excision and/or lasers
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When
to Consult a Dermatologist?
Consult Dermatologist when
the first signs of rosacea occurs
-
Waiting
or applying wrong medications can damage the
skin
-
If
any redness or watering of eyes associated
with rosacea,, first see a dermatologist, then
an ophthalmologist
-
If
bumps appear on nose
-
If,
what you thought of as acne remains only on
the flush area of face, there is more redness
and dilated bl.ood vessels on the lesions, and
there are no comedones
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Rosacea
Tips
-
Apply
regular sun blocks
-
Use
a regular
stress
management program
-
Stick
to a balanced diet
-
Do not
apply OTC steroids on the face
-
Avoid
too much Sun Exposure
-
Avoid
alcohol and tobacco
-
Avoid
hot, spicy food
-
Avoid
over cleansing
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Dr.Hanish Babu, MD
