Rosacea is a skin condition that is often assumed to be acne or a sign of alcoholism. Some physicans think it is a vascular problem at core. For people who have this skin condition, it is very challenging. It is a chronic medical problem with no cure at this time. The symptoms are real and can cause emotional struggles and can be quite physically painful as well. However, many times the symptoms of rosacea can be treated or minimized.



What are the symptoms of rosacea? If you experience any of the following signs, you should consult a dermatologist right away. 1)Red or inflamed areas on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin 2)Visible blood vessels in the facial area 3)Pimples or bumpy areas on the face (other than whiteheads or blackheads) 4)Cheeks look flushed, but are not warm to touch (although sometimes is warm to the touch) 5)Watery eyes or irritated eyes in conjunction with the symptoms mentioned above 6)Thickening of the skin (occasionally) 7)Swelling of facial areas 8)Over time, the nose may appear extremely red and bulbous, especially in older men 9)Sometimes rosacea appears on the chest, scalp, ears, or neck

The exact cause of rosacea is not yet known at this point in time. It commonly shows up in both women and men sometime between 20 and 40 years of age. Some women can become isolated if left untreated because of the embarrassment of their appearance, plus the physical pain that many times goes with it. Men are sometimes emotionally affected as well.

First and foremost to cope with rosacea, see a dermatologist who has helped others with this skin disorder. Rosacea can go into remission if you are careful to adhere to the plan recommended by your doctor. There are several lifestyle changes that can be made to ensure that the flares of rosacea won't occur as often or as severely. Limit your exposure to sun and wind. Try to keep stress levels at a low and make lifestyle changes accordingly to accommodate that. Avoid alcohol, hot drinks & spicy foods. If you enjoy a bath, use warm or cool water instead of really hot water. Try low-impact forms of exercise instead of high impact ones, which can bring on a prolonged facial flush. Try to exercise in cooler conditions or air conditioned rooms. Hot weather will worsen rosacea signs.

Some people with rosacea have tried and claim some relief with creams containing green tea, Chrysanthellum Indicum, Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), or Azelaic Acid have been reported to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and red capillaries.

Some people who suffer from rosacea react to hot beverages or spicy food. If this is true for you, try warm beverages and not so spicy food.

If your doctor doesn't prescribe special facial cleansers or products, I have found the following helpful. Use a very mild facial cleaner such as Oil of Olay sensitive skin facial cloths or Dove's version. Be very gentle while washing your face, no heavy scrubbing. Do not use abrasive scrubs or astringent type products. I like using for moisture Neutrogena's oil free moisturizer, and sometimes use pure emu oil as well. Many anti aging products tend to cause flare-ups. For cosmetics I like natural mineral makeup. There are many good brands out there. Try to get a green color corrector type product as a base under foundation, green counteracts the red of the skin and helps camouflage it so it looks more natural.

Men should use an electric razor instead of a razor blade to shave each morning in order to reduce irritation. Follow up with a gentle light non-scented moisturizer.

Rosacea can be a debilitating skin disorder, but it doesn't have to be. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it can greatly help reduce symptoms.