Acne Rosacea - what are the causes and treatment options?

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Acne Rosacea isn’t actually a form of acne it is a completely different skin disorder that can sometimes look similar to acne. Rosacea is frequently mistaken for acne because it can result in pimples. However, these spots are dome shaped rather than pointed and there are no whiteheads, blackheads, lumps or deep cysts.

Rosacea is a common skin disorder that starts out in the early stages as redness or blushing of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. The small blood vessels in these areas dilate and become more visible through the skin and pimples may also appear.

Acne rosacea usually affects individuals in the 30 to 60 age bracket, it may also be found in children, but this is very rare. It tends to be more frequent in women but it is usually more severe in men. There is a widespread belief that rosacea mainly affects fair-skinned people of Celtic origin or those who are from a northern Europe descent. However, studies so far have not substantiated this theory.

Untreated rosacea can develop into a disfiguring nose condition called rhinophyma. This condition usually affects men and is characterized by a bulbous, enlarged red nose. Thick bumps may also form on the lower half of the nose and cheeks. In its most severe form, it may require surgery.

Advanced rosacea can also affect the eyes, giving them a gritty feel or burning sensation. If it isn’t treated, a serious complication called rosacea keratitis may develop. This condition can damage the cornea and impair vision.

The cause of rosacea is poorly understood but there are several factors that are thought to trigger or aggravate it. Sufferers of rosacea should try to avoid smoking, spicy food, hot and alcoholic beverages. Exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures should be kept to a minimum. Strong cortisone medications should not be applied on the face as they can promote widening of the blood vessels on the face.

When using facial products like moisturizers, cleansers and toners, make sure they are free of alcohol and any other irritating ingredients. Cosmetics and hairsprays may also aggravate the condition. When spending time in the outdoors make sure a SPF sunscreen is applied.

Sadly, there is no fail safe method or cure for treating rosacea, but there are several treatment options available, including oral and topical medicines. Oral antibiotics may include products such as tetracycline, these are commonly prescribed and help to reduce inflammation. Other oral antibiotics such as cotrimoxasole and metronidazole may also be prescribed for resistant cases.

Topical treatments can include metronidazole antibiotic cream or gel which can also help to reduce inflammation and redness. This can be used either for long term or intermittent use, on its own for mild cases or in combination with other treatments for more severe cases.

If antibiotics are ineffective, an acne treatment called isotretinoin can be used, but this treatment does have several severe side effects and it is not suited to everyone.

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