Many people suffer from different forms of skin problems, even into the adult years. Rosacea is a skin disorder that is often misdiagnosed and not treated properly.
What exactly is rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disorder that is many times mistaken for severe acne or a sign of alcoholism. It is a chronic medical condition with no cure. The symptoms are very real and can cause very real emotional damage if left untreated and can be quite physically painful. Some cases are milder than others and some do progress and get worse with time.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
There are many symptoms of rosacea, including the following:
- red or inflamed areas on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin
- visible blood vessels in the facial area
- pimples or bumpy areas on the face (other than whiteheads or blackheads)
- cheeks look flushed, but are not warm to touch (although sometimes is very warm to the touch)
- watery eyes or irritated eyes in conjunction with the symptoms mentioned above
- thickening of the skin (occasionally)
- swelling of facial areas
- over time, the nose may appear extremely red and bulbous, especially in older men
- sometimes rosacea appears on the chest, scalp, ears, or neck
The cause of rosacea is not known. It seems to show up in both women and men sometime between 20 and 40 years of age, although many of those people may have had a few years of “pre-rosacea” in individuals that tended to flush and blush very easily in younger years.
Factors that easily trigger a flush
"Flushes" can be triggered by several things, including:
- hot drinks
- hot and spicy foods
- exercise
- strong emotions
- sunlight
- wind
- alcohol
- hot tubs, showers and bathes
- hot flashes in menopausal women
- reaction to creams or cosmetics
See a dermatologist who has helped others with this skin disorder. If he prescribes a medication, give it a try and see if your symptoms improve. Rosacea can go into remission if you are careful to adhere to the plan recommended by your doctor. There are also other forms of therapies he or she can recommend as well.
You’ll want to avoid using scrubs or anything harsh on your skin, including not rubbing it vigorously. If your doctor doesn’t recommend skin care products the ones this author has had good success with are Dove facial wipes (used very gently of course), Neutrogena water based lotion, and mineral makeup. Try to use only cool water on your face. In regards to cosmetics, green under-base products will help cut the red tones.
Be hyper vigilant about using sunscreens. Consider wearing hats when you’re outdoors that will also help bring shade to your face. When you are having an intense active flush, consider putting an ice bag on your face (with a smooth cloth in between). You want to try to get your skin cooled off as quickly as possible.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Valerie Garner - Hi, I'm Valerie a midlife lady who loves to learn new things, photography, reading, writing, and drinking coffee with friends. I've ...
