Skin conditions are quite common. The most difficult part of living with a chronic skin condition is not the flare-ups or the irritation it causes but it is the misconceptions that are harbored by people regarding these skin conditions. People often label all skin conditions as contagious and there are several taboos associated with such skin ailments. However, there are certain skin conditions that aren’t contagious but have no exact cure. One such chronic skin condition that is known to affect more than 16 million people in the country is rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes prominent redness and visible blood vessels to appear on the face. In certain cases, rosacea can produce small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face. Rosacea can affect anyone, but it usually affects middle-aged women who have fair skin. Though there is no exact known cure for rosacea, the treatments are focused on controlling the flare-ups that people experience from time-to-time.
Types of rosacea
There are four types of rosacea. They are as follows:
- Subtype one– This form of rosacea is known as erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) and is known to cause facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels.
- Subtype two– The subtype two rosacea is called papulopustular or acne rosacea and is associated with acne-like breakouts. It usually affects middle-aged women.
- Subtype three– This type of rosacea is known as rhinophyma. It is a rare form of rosacea and is often associated with the thickening of the skin on the nose. It affects men and occurs in association with another subtype of rosacea.
- Subtype four– The subtype four is known as ocular rosacea and the symptoms of this type of rosacea are centered on the eye.
Causes of rosacea
The causes of rosacea are not determined, but it is believed to be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. There are certain factors that can trigger rosacea flare-ups and worsen the condition further. These include:
- The presence of an intestinal bacteria called Helicobacter pylori
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Eating spicy foods
- The presence of a protein called cathelicidin which protects the skin from infection
- A skin mite called Demodex and the bacterium it carries called Bacillus oleronius
- Extreme temperature
- Sunlight or wind
- Cosmetics
- Exercise
- Drugs that are known to dilate the blood vessels and these include some blood pressure medications
These factors can trigger or worsen rosacea by increasing the flow of blood to the skin surface.
Symptoms of rosacea
The symptoms of rosacea vary according to the type of rosacea one is suffering from.
Symptoms of rosacea ETR
- Swollen skin
- Sensitive skin
- Redness and flushing that affect the center of the face
- Stinging and burning skin
- Dry, rough, and scaly skin
- Prominent broken blood vessels
Symptoms of acne rosacea
- Sensitive skin
- Oily skin
- Acne-like breakouts and extremely red skin
- Raised patches of skin
- Broken blood vessels that are quite visible
Symptoms of thickening skin (subtype three)
- Thick skin on nose
- Bumpy skin texture
- Large pores
- Thick skin on chin, cheeks, foreheads, and ears
- Visible broken blood vessels
Symptoms of ocular rosacea
- Eyes that are sensitive to light
- Cysts on eyes
- Eyes that feel gritty
- Bloodshot or watery eyes
- Diminished vision
- Dry and itchy eyes
- Broken blood vessels on eyelids
- Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
