April is Rosacea Awareness Month. But what is rosacea? It is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face and is often misdiagnosed as acne. Keep scrolling to learn how to identify and manage this common skin condition.
Who gets rosacea?
More than 14 million people are living with rosacea, according to the U.S. government. Most people with rosacea are:
- Between the ages of 30 and 50
- Fair-skinned
- Likely to have trouble with acne
- Likely not the only person in their family with this common skin condition
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
- Facial redness
- Rosacea causes a consistent redness in your face due to small blood vessels becoming swollen and more visible.
- Swollen, red bumps
- Often times, people with rosacea develop pimples that resemble acne. These bumps can contain pus and may feel hot and tender.
- Eye problems
- People with rosacea often have dry, irritated, swollen eyes. This is known as oscular rosacea.
- Enlarged nose
- Over time, rosacea can cause the skin on the nose to thicken and appear enlarged. This is more common in men than women.
What causes rosacea?
The search for causes of rosacea is still ongoing, but scientists have found that rosacea:
- Runs in families
- Can be triggered by environmental factors such as sunlight or extreme temperatures
- Can flare up after ingesting hot or spicy foods
- Is sometimes caused by exercise or the use of various cosmetic products
What kinds of rosacea are there?
Since there are so many signs and symptoms, they are divided into 4 subtypes.
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels
- Papulopustular rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts
- Phymatous rosacea: Thick skin with a bumpy texture
- Ocular rosacea: Red, irritated eyes, eyelids can be swollen, sometimes looks like a sty
How is rosacea treated?
Although the cause of rosacea is still a bit of a mystery, the treatment is well-known.
- Medications
- There are many topical creams to help reduce redness or oral medications to help manage symptoms
- Therapies
- Laser therapy or other light-based therapies have been known to help reduce the redness of swollen blood vessels. Repeated rosacea treatments may be necessary to gradually improve the appearance of the skin
Rosacea can be embarrassing and uncomfortable and because it is often misdiagnosed as acne, seeking professional help is essential. At the Derm Institute of West Michigan, our BBL laser is common for rosacea treatments to ease and help you feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin.
The Derm also has prescription medications that can help treat this chronic condition to have your skin looking clear and radiant in no time. Click the button below to schedule your appointment today!