Rosacea

Santa's red nose and rosy cheeks look festive along with his red suit and white beard. But old St. Nick's complexion also looks a lot like rosacea, and should probably warrant a trip to his family doctor or dermatologist.

Rosacea affects approximately 14 million Americans and is a chronic disorder of the facial skin. It is not contagious and appears to have a hereditary component, though no research has proved that. Rosacea typically first appears after the age of 30. It is much like adult acne in that it produces red bumps and pimples. However, unlike acne it does not produce whiteheads or blackheads. Plugged oil duct glands cause acne. There are many theories about what causes rosacea, but it does seem to be linked to the facial skin's vascular network. In extreme cases, swelling will cause the nose to grow excess tissue and become bumpy and bulbous.

The most common symptoms of rosacea include flushing, persistent redness, bumps and pimples and visible blood vessels. Other symptoms include swelling, eye irritation, burning and stinging, thickening of the skin, raised red patches called plaques, and an appearance of dry skin. Since symptoms vary from person to person, treatment is very individualized. Both oral and topical medications may be prescribed. For more extreme cases, laser or other surgical treatments may be used to reduce redness, remove blood vessels or correct a disfigured nose. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors are believed to be triggers, so identifying such triggers and eliminating them if possible can provide significant relief.

Resources:

Rosacea.org is a valuable source of information for rosacea sufferers and health professionals.

Find further information at the American Academy of Dermatology. Includes tips on recognizing and the condition and treating it.

Peruse common questions and answers about rosacea.

December 20, 2003