Some Of The Options Available For Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea treatment depends very much on the individual. It is a chronic condition with no known cure. The chief characteristic is facial erythema or redness. It has been called 'the curse of the Celts' as it mostly affects fair-skinned Caucasians.

It affects three times as many women as men and the peak age of onset is 30 to 60 years. There are four main subtypes and sufferers may have more than one of these. The central third of the face is the area most often affected, especially the nose.

Erythematotelangiectacic rosacea has permanent redness. There may be itching and burning sensations, victims flush easily and small blood vessels can be seen near the skin surface. The papulopustular type has some permanent redness and is easily mistaken for acne. Pus-filled lesions may erupt on the skin. Phymatous rosacea usually affects the nose. The skin thickens; the area enlarges and becomes irregular with visible blood vessels under the skin. Ocular rosacea affects the eyes making them red and dry.

It may go into remission for long periods while others will never be free of it. Every sufferer has individual triggers which will promote a flare. Intestinal bacteria, emotional upsets and sunlight affect many. Red wine and chocolate are relatively common triggers. Others are some dairy products and processed foods, yeast, soy sauce and spicy foods.

Treatment of the condition depends on the type and severity. It also depends very much on the individual as there are vastly different reactions to each type of treatment. There is no cure but the redness and lesions can be reduced as can the itching and tenderness. If a case is mild it may not be treated at all but simply covered with cosmetics.

The most effective treatment is to avoid the things that trigger an attack. Keeping out of the sun or wearing a hat and sunscreen is important. Some substances found in skin cleansers are known triggers such as clove and eucalyptus oil, salicylic acid, menthol, peppermint and witch hazel. However some individuals react well to topical applications of sandalwood oil.

Laser treatment has been found to be beneficial in helping eliminate redness. Of a similar nature is intense pulse light and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Dermatologists may recommend various creams and gels. Eventually individuals find a product that reduces the redness. Oral and topical antibiotics may be prescribed. Ask about potential risks and side effects before starting on a course of antibiotics. Mild steroids may be indicated for short-term use but some will cause a flare. Prolonged use may result in irritations around the mouth.

Some easily available products can be tried. It is mostly trial and error to find something to suit each person. Rosacea affected skin is very sensitive and excessive scrubbing in not recommended. A combination of perhaps an antibacterial cream and a sulphur or benzoyl peroxide wash helps many.

Chemical peels are sometimes used but for many, they are too irritating and will cause itching and burning. Any home remedies should be tried on a small test area as reactions vary greatly. Diluted white vinegar facial soaks and green tea soaks help some. With perseverance, rosacea treatment will bring relief from the irritating symptoms.


An Overview Of Rosacea Treatment Options

Reactions to rosacea treatment vary widely from person to person. There is no known cure for this chronic condition, the chief characteristic of which is facial erythema (redness). Its nickname is 'the curse of the Celts'. It is more common in fair-skinned Caucasians.

It is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 and 60. The nose is most commonly affected as is the central area of the face. Women sufferers outnumber men by 3:1. Several of the four subtypes may appear in the one individual.

Permanent redness, burning, itching and flushing are characteristics of erythematotelangiectacic rosacea. Tiny blood vessels appear under the skin surface. Papulopustular rosacea is often mistaken for acne because of the pimples which appear. Phymatous rosacea results in thickened skin and an irregular roughened surface and visible blood vessels. The nose is most often affected and becomes enlarged. The final subtype is ocular rosacea. This causes irritation to the eyes which become dry and red.

Rosacea will often go into remission for a while then flare up again. There are many triggers and some sufferers need treatment throughout their lifetime. Some of the triggers include sunlight, intestinal bacteria and emotional stress. There are quite a few food and beverages which trigger attacks. Although chocolate and red wine are most commonly given as triggers, yeast extract, soy sauce, citrus fruits, spicy food, sugars, processed foods and some dairy items are all known to result in flares.

The type and severity of the condition determines the treatment. Again each individual has a very different reaction to the various methods available. Some mild cases are disguised with cosmetics. The symptoms of redness, lesions, tenderness and itching can be treated but there is no cure.

The most valuable lesson is to learn what triggers a flare. These can then be avoided as much as possible. Protection from the sun in the form of a hat and sunscreen will prevent some outbreaks. Skin cleansers contain substances which are known to irritate the sensitive skin of sufferers. Oil of cloves and eucalyptus, menthol, salicylic acid, witch hazel and peppermint are known irritants. Topical use of sandalwood oil does relieve some however.

To assist in eliminating redness, laser treatment is often used. Intense pulse light is a similar type of treatment as is photodynamic therapy (PDT). A number of creams and gels can be recommended by dermatologists. Sometimes antibiotics, either topical or oral, will be prescribed. Before embarking on a course of these, ask about possible side effects. Some find mild steroids helpful but in others, steroids trigger flares. Irritations around the mouth may result from prolonged use.

There are a number of over-the-counter products that can be tried. What works for one will worsen the symptoms of another. The skin is very easily irritated. A combination of methods is often most effective. A sulphur wash together with an antibacterial cream is often helpful as are benzoyl peroxide washes. Excessive scrubbing will aggravate the condition.

Chemical peels are generally found to be too irritating. Try home remedies on a small area until the reaction can be assessed. Green tea soaks may help as may dilute white vinegar facial soaks. With determination and continual trial and error, rosacea treatment will ease these annoying symptoms.


What You Should Know About Rosacea Treatment Options

An individual's response to rosacea treatment cannot be predicted as everyone reacts differently. Rosacea is a chronic illness and there is no cure. Redness of the face (facial erythema) is the primary symptom. Often called 'the curse of the Celts', it is mostly seen in Caucasians who have fair skin.

Only a third of the number of men to women will fall ill to this condition. It mainly strikes women from 30 to 60 years. Of the four subtypes, more than one may be seen in any one individual. Most commonly affected is the nose and central portion of the face.

Erythematotelangiectacic rosacea produces permanent redness with tiny blood vessels visible under the skin. Other characteristics are burning and itching of the skin. Sufferers flush easily. There is some permanent redness with papulopustular rosacea, together with eruptions of pimples causing it to be mistaken for acne. Misshapen noses with rough, thickened skin and visible blood vessels is most associated with phymatous rosacea. The fourth type is known as ocular as it attacks the eyes. The irritation causes them to become red and dry.

The condition tends to come and go. Some patients need lifelong treatment while some go into long remissions. For some, sunlight is a trigger; for others, food and/or beverages will bring on an attack. Red wine and chocolate, soy sauce, yeast extract, citrus fruits, spicy foods, processed foods and some dairy products are some which cause flare ups. Emotional stress and intestinal bacteria are other problem factors.

Each individual reacts differently to the various treatments available. Lesions, redness and sensations of itching and burning can all be relieved. It is just a matter of finding an appropriate method.

Avoiding triggers is the most effective way of minimising flares. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat and applying sunscreen needs to be become routine. Common skin cleansers can contain known irritants such as menthol, witch hazel, oil of cloves and eucalyptus, and salicylic acid are some of these. Interestingly, sandalwood oil is used in topical ointments with good effect.

Redness can be lessened by laser or intense pulse light treatment or by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Dermatologists will be able to suggest a variety of gels and creams. Antibiotics may be prescribed but inquire about possible ill-effects before starting such action. Mild steroids help some but over time may result in irritation of the skin around the mouth.

Care should be taken if purchasing a random over-the-counter product as some of these will irritate the skin and make the symptoms worse. A combination of approaches may be effective. A sulphur wash can be obtained by prescription and is often effective when combined with an antibacterial cream. Benzoyl peroxide washes can be used but all cleansers should be gentle in nature. Excessive scrubbing of affected skin should be avoided.

Diluted white vinegar soaks may be helpful as may green tree soaks. Chemical peels are too irritating for many. Any remedy should be applied to a small area first to assess the reaction of the skin. Trial and error will eventually find a rosacea treatment that will help ease the condition.



