Rosacea - causes, symptoms, types and treatment

Rosacea is an unpleasant dermatosis that primarily affects the skin of the face. The lesions associated with rosacea are inflammatory in nature. This and other types of acne require specialized treatment.

In the case of prolonged symptoms of rosacea, so-called spots may also appear on the skin. secondary changes, which include swelling of the face, rupture of capillaries, papules and pustules, as well as hypertrophic changes. Rosacea is a dermatosis that develops in the second and third decades of life.. The lesions associated with rosacea do not develop during adolescence. Typical course of rosacea the appearance of erythema and a few skin rashes in the initial stage of the diseaseand exacerbation of disease symptoms between the fourth and fifth decade of life.

Rosacea not only causes discomfort associated with inflammation and erythema, but is also a cosmetic defect that reduces self-esteem. It is worth learning more about its symptoms, causes and treatments, as well as the factors that can affect the deterioration of the skin condition.

Rosacea - basic information about the disease

Rosacea is an inflammatory disease of the skin of the face. Associated skin lesions rarely appear on the scalp and neck and décolleté. Rosacea should not be confused with acne vulgaris.which occurs mainly in adolescents.

The first symptom of rosacea is transient erythema, which eventually becomes permanent erythema. Rosacea appears between the ages of 20 and 30. Erythema is located on the forehead, cheeks and around the chin. Rosacea is an inflammatory disease of the skin of the face, more commonly diagnosed in women. However, you should know that rosacea also affects men. Studies have shown that it is often more severe in men.

Risk factors favoring the development of rosacea include, first of all, endocrine disorders, for example. during pregnancy and menopause, as well as in diseases of the thyroid gland. Emotional disorders and psychomotor hyperactivity also have a significant impact on the increased risk of developing rosacea.

Rosacea is more common in people with fair skin. There are several types of rosacea. The changes characteristic of rosacea have a neurological basis and are associated with disorders inside the blood vessels (vasomotor disorders). During the course of the disease, small, dilated blood vessels appear on the skin. Typical of rosacea is a stinging and burning sensation on the skin of the face, which can interfere with normal functioning.

Factors exacerbating the symptoms of rosacea have been identified. This includes heavy meals, hot spices, coffee, alcohol, smoking, and chronic stress.

Causes of Rosacea

The causes of rosacea are not fully understood. Based on research and clinical observations, several factors have been identified that contribute to the development of this inflammatory disease of the skin of the face. Studies have shown that the immediate cause of rosacea are disorders in the nervous system that cause excessive vascular reactivity. Vasomotor disorders in the initial phase of the disease cause short-term erythema. In the subsequent stages of the disease, erythema lasts longer and longer. Over time, the disease becomes chronic.
The exacerbation of the symptoms of the disease is evidenced by numerous small blood vessels that are visible on the skin. Telangiectasias, colloquially referred to as broken capillaries or spider veins, confirm the link between the development of the disease and vasomotor disorders.

The symptoms of rosacea are exacerbated by the factors listed above, ie. alcohol abuse, smoking and unhealthy diet. Numerous bursting blood vessels on the skin of the face are often also associated with addictions - it is necessary to correctly differentiate in this direction.

Other factors that provoke the development of the disease include hormonal disorders, which include menstrual irregularities, as well as hormonal disorders associated with menopause. Often, rosacea is caused by improperly selected contraceptives, as well as thyroid diseases. Other factors that can cause rosacea include infectious agents, for example. mites that live on the skin, as well as pathogenic bacteria that live on the gastric mucosa. Emotional hyperactivity and chronic stress also increase the risk of developing rosacea.

Vasomotor disorders seen in rosacea can also be a cause, for example. certain drugs, physical agents and chemicals, and other factors affecting the body that are related to physiological state and general well-being. One of the factors contributing to the development of the disease and exacerbating the accompanying symptoms is improperly selected cosmetics for daily care. Ignoring the problem can lead to serious complications, which is why rosacea treatment is necessary.

Common Symptoms of Rosacea

The symptoms of this condition are initially nonspecific. Flea erythema can indicate many different conditions that do not have to be directly related to the skin. Often caused by external factors and disappears after a few minutes. Flea erythema often appears on sensitive skin and may be a symptom of irritation associated, for example, with cosmetics used. There are four subtypes of the disease. Each of them causes slightly different clinical symptoms.

• Erythematous telangiectasia rosacea - typical symptoms, including rosacea, are: recurrent or persistent erythema, vasodilation, swelling of the face and skin changes in the form of peeling of the epidermis.
• Pustular-papular rosacea - this subtype is indicated by the appearance within the erythema of papules and pustules, symmetrically located in the central part of the face. It is worth knowing that skin changes can also be a symptom of acne vulgaris - these types of acne can occur on the skin at the same time, but acne does not appear with rosacea. A characteristic feature of this rosacea is the absence of broken capillaries. Inflammation causes exfoliation of the epidermis, as well as swelling of the face and hypertrophic changes, i.e. skin thickening.
• Ocular rosacea - characterized by non-specific symptoms. During the course of the disease, the following symptoms are characteristic: eye symptoms, itching and burning in the eyes, as well as recurrent conjunctivitis and chalazions. Symptoms associated with photosensitivity are also typical of ocular rosacea.
• nodular rosacea The disease is rarely diagnosed. It is manifested by the predominance of hypertrophic changes that can cause distortion of the face. Skin changes are painless. In additional changes, dilated openings of the sebaceous glands are visible. Nodular rosacea rarely occurs in women. The course of the disease is severe. The skin lesions typical of this type of acne are all over the face. They can also affect the ears and eyelids.

Rosacea - treatment

The method of treatment is influenced by both the type and course of the disease. Can rosacea be completely cured? Unfortunately, in the case of rosacea, we are dealing with an incurable disease - the treatment is symptomatic. It is aimed at reducing erythema and improving the general condition of the skin and the well-being of the patient. Traditional methods of treating rosacea in this case are not always effective. The best effect is obtained by a combination of pharmacological treatment adequately tailored to the needs of the patient and proper skin care (for people with rosacea, it is important to choose cosmetics for the skin condition) and the exclusion of factors that aggravate the course of the disease. .

Topical treatment helps to minimize the progression of the disease. In the treatment of rosacea, for example, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and sodium sulfacetamide are used. Topical treatment also includes the use of antibiotics.

It is worth knowing that the local treatment of acne is significantly influenced by the care of sensitive skin that does not aggravate its symptoms, which can be irritated not only by detergents, but also by decorative cosmetics. It is also sometimes used to treat acne. phototherapy, cryotherapy and electrotherapy.