Rosacea

Acne rosacea, also known as Rosacea, is a non-contagious
inflammatory skin condition where the nose, cheeks and/or forehead
give the appearance of a permanent flush as small surface blood
vessels (capillaries) of the skin enlarge.

DESCRIPTION

Symptoms of Rosacea may first appear in a person’s 20s, but
usually begins to appear between 30 to 50 years of age, initially
with frequent flushing. Over time, this flushing becomes permanent
as the capillaries enlarge and pustules begin to form. Women are
more commonly affected than men who will usually have more severe
symptoms. Rosacea rarely affects children and is more common in
fair-skinned than dark-skinned people. . The symptoms tend to
worsen with advancing age. The cause is unknown and there is no
permanent cure. In severe cases of Rosacea, the nose can become
reddened and enlarged (rhinophyma).

CAUSES

The direct cause of Rosacea is unkown. Factors that can
trigger or worsen the condition include:

• Alcohol
• Hot drinks
• Coffee and tea
• Spicy foods
• Overexposure to sunlight
• Anxiety
• Emotional stress
• Overheating.

SYMPTOMS

Rosacea often causes the following signs and symptoms;

• Permanent pink flush across nose, cheeks, forehead and/or
  chin
• Lumps under the skin
• Frequent blushing 
• Burning or stinging feeling on face
• Tiny, visible blood vessels under the skin which can become
  quite prominent on the face
• Welts
• Acne or yellow-headed pimples.

 

Mild eye symptoms occur in about half of cases. These
include; 

• a feeling of something in the eye
• burning, stinging or itchy eyes
• dryness
• sensitivity to light
• eyelid problems such as cysts, styes or eyelid inflammation
  (blepharitis).

 

As with all medical conditions, consult your Doctor for
diagnosis and treatment. Rosacea is diagnosed by physical
examination and medical history. Rosacea must be distinguished from
other types of similar skin disorders including: acne, lupus
erythematosus, seborrhoeic dermatitis and perioral dermatitis.
Treatment options for Rosacea depend on the severity and may
include:

• Cold packs – to reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Avoidance of known triggers – such as sunlight, alcohol and
  spicy foods.
• Antibiotics – such as tetracycline.
• Creams and gels – containing antibiotics, such as
  metronidazole, applied to the skin.
• Diathermy – a small device that generates heat is applied to
  the damaged blood vessels.
• Laser surgery – to treat the enlarged capillaries.
• Surgery – to treat the nose, if disfigured by rhinophyma.

 

• Milk thistle helps liver function and detoxification for skin
  health. 
• Use a chamomile tea infusion as an anti-inflammatory face
  wash. 
• Place a cool compress of lavender oil on your skin to reduce
  heat and swelling. 
• Consider taking B vitamins, as many people with rosacea are B
  vitamin deficient.

DIET

• Avoid food and drinks that make you flush such as caffeine,
  alcohol, sugar, iodised salt, hot drinks and soup, and spicy
  food. 
• Avoid red meat and foods containing trans-fatty acids and
  saturated fats, such as milk, ice cream, chocolate, milk products,
  shortening, margarine, or other synthetically hydrogenated
  vegetable oils, as well as fried food. 
• Eat plenty of raw vegetables (especially green, leafy
  vegetables), fruits, nuts, sprouts and seeds, as these raw foods
  contain enzymes that help with skin and circulatory health.
• Drink several glasses of fresh vegetable juice daily. If you
  have rosacea, your digestive system might not be processing food
  effectively and juices help deliver nutrients directly to your
  bloodstream 
• Eat fibre-rich foods (vegetables, whole grains, beans, etc.) to
  help keep toxins moving through your digestive tract instead of
  through your skin.
• If you’re taking antibiotics for rosacea, eat some live
  unsweetened yoghurt or other source of acidophilus every day to
  replace the good bacteria that antibiotics take away.
• Include cold-water fish and flaxseeds in your diet as they
  contain essential fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation.

PHARMACIST’S ADVICE

1. Use cold packs on the face to reduce swelling and
   inflammation.
2. Only use hypoallergenic cosmetics and makeup removal
   products. 
3. Avoid known triggers.
4. Avoid strong sunlight to the face. UV radiation is thought to
   make symptoms worse. Use a sun-block cream on your face with a high
   protection factor of 30+. A wide brimmed hat will also help to
   protect your face from the sun.