Rosacea
Rosacea is often misunderstood for an allergic reaction, acne and other skin problems.
What are the signs of rosacea?
Rosacea is most commonly found in fair-skin individuals, but can affect any skin type. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea, but with effective treatment, symptoms can be minimized or eliminated completely.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of rosacea include:
- Facial redness. Rosacea causes persistent reddening of the face around the nose and cheeks.
- Eye problems. Rosacea may also cause eye dryness, irritation and swollen, red, or crusting eyelids.
- Swollen, red bumps. Rosacea may also cause pimples on the face that resemble acne; these bumps sometimes contain pus.
- Enlarged nose(Rhinophyma). Rosacea can thicken the nose, most often occurring in men than women.
Causes and risk factors
Symptoms of rosacea can be aggravated through environmental and genetic factors. These include:
- Exercise
- Hot drinks or foods
- Alcohol
- Temperature extremes
- Cosmetics
- Sunlight or wind
- Emotions
- Medications that dilate blood vessels
You’re at increased risk of developing (or worsening) rosacea if you:
- Smoke
- Have a family history of rosacea
- Are fair-skinned
Treatment of rosacea
After inspecting your skin, your doctor may recommend a medication to combat your rosacea. These include medications that reduce redness, like brimonidine; azelaic acid and metronidazole; oral antibiotics like doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, and others to address inflammation in the skin; and, for severe cases, isotretinoin, an oral acne drug that eliminates acne-like lesions of rosacea.
Your doctor may also suggest laser therapy, which reduces the redness of enlarged blood vessels.
It is advised not to perform self-diagnosis or at-home treatments, as some over-the-counter medications may aggravate skin further. The key to rosacea relief is early diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, rosacea can worsen quickly and become more difficult to treat.
Reduce your rosacea with Dermatology of Athens
Give us a call if you suspect you have rosacea. Dermatology of Athens is trained on the myriad of common skin irritants, and we can provide expert guidance on how to combat your rosacea symptoms for clear, happier skin.
To schedule your appointment, give us a call at 706-353-8220 or email us at info@dermathens.com. We can’t wait to care for your skin!