What is rosacea (rosacea, rosacea)?
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness and texture to the skin on the face. Possible symptoms include spots, redness, bumps, pustules, a burning sensation, pain and discomfort, and in the most severe cases, it can cause swelling and changes to facial tissue. It's a fairly common skin condition – it's thought that 1 in 10 adults may have some form of rosacea – and luckily, more and more research is being done to shed light on this difficult condition.
Did you know that there are four different types of rosacea?
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (facial redness and prominent capillaries)
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is the mildest and most common form of rosacea, with symptoms mainly consisting of reddening of the skin. It is often mild, but without treatment it can worsen and even become permanent.
Papulopustular rosacea (inflammatory changes of the papule and pustule type)
This type of rosacea causes your face to swell, turn red, and form white, pus-filled bumps on your chin, cheeks, forehead, scalp, neck, and chest.
Fimatozna rozaceja (sa zadebljanjem kože – obično na nosu, koji je povećan i crven)
This particularly unpleasant version of rosacea scars the skin and thickens it, discolors it, and makes it swollen and bumpy. This fortunately rare form usually affects the nose and is more common in men than women.
Ocular rosacea
As you might have guessed, this type affects the eyes, making them look bloodshot or causing them to water for no apparent reason. The eyes may also be irritated.
Possible causes
Unfortunately, no one is quite sure what exactly causes rosacea. Not a particularly helpful answer, we know, but there are theories about potential causes that are definitely worth keeping in mind.
Theory 1: Demodex (D. folliculorum and D. brevis) mites in the skin
It doesn't sound very appealing, but mites living in your skin are actually quite normal. Demodex mites live on your skin, feed on dead skin cells and contribute to the overall health and condition of your skin. However, one study, carried out by the National University of Ireland, concluded that people suffering from rosacea had far greater numbers of these tiny mites living on their skin than those who did not suffer from the condition, suggesting a link between their presence and rosacea.
Theory 2: Bacteria
Another related theory is one that suggests that it is actually bacteria present in these particular mites that live on the skin that actually cause rosacea in humans. Again, an increased number of these mites means an increased level of “Bacillus oleronius” – the bacteria found in Demodex. Studies have also shown that people who suffer from rosacea also often have a bacteria called H. pylori, which can cause infections in the gut. These bacteria can trigger the body's immune response, which can result in rosacea.
Theory 3: Genetics
Rosacea seems to run in families – it is possible that there is some genetic predisposition to it.
Theory 4: Relationship with nutrition
Research suggests that certain foods are triggers that can cause rosacea to flare up, leading us to think that food itself is the cause of the condition. We can't know for sure, but we can know that there are countless studies and countless stories of people who have found and eliminated certain foods from their diets and seen a significant reduction in their rosacea symptoms soon after.
What to do if you think you have rosacea
Before you do anything, confirm your diagnosis with a doctor. This doesn’t mean that the condition is serious enough to require immediate medical attention, but it’s definitely worth checking to see if you definitely have rosacea before you try to treat it! Get a referral to a dermatologist who can help you with your skin in a more personalized, tailored way. It’s also a great idea to visit online communities for advice and support, and follow skin-positive influencers on social media. There are plenty of them out there, and they can be a huge confidence boost when you’re feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious.
How to treat rosacea
First, the unfortunate fact is that rosacea cannot (yet) be cured. However, there are treatments that can reduce its severity and keep symptoms under control.
One treatment option is prescription antibiotic creams. There are also creams that contain ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication. They have varying degrees of effectiveness and, unfortunately, don't work for everyone.
Laser treatments are another option – they can be very effective, but the results can also wear off after a while. If you were to go this route, it would likely require regular repeat treatments, which can be expensive.
Diet and lifestyle are things you can control in your daily life. It’s important to remember that rosacea is not a symptom of a food allergy, but some people have amazing success stories of treating rosacea by eliminating certain foods from their diet. We’ll write about this in more detail in our next blog. Ensuring a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough water, and managing stress can also have a big impact on your skin.
Skin care tips for rosacea
You can support your skin with a basic, regular skincare routine. These little tips and tricks can help relieve rosacea symptoms, often preventing flare-ups before they start.
Rosacea-prone skin is often sensitive, so whatever you do, be gentle – this includes all the creams and lotions you apply, the cleansers you use, and the accessories and tools you use on your face. A simple skincare routine, free of harsh active ingredients that can irritate your skin, is best for you.
Use products that include soothing ingredients that reduce redness, such as a-Bisabolol, licorice root, panthenol, and green tea extract.
Protect your skin from the sun! Apply SPF 30 or higher every day – this is more of a preventative tip because sunlight opens up the veins in your skin, making your skin turn reddish, even when exposed for just a few minutes. If left for even longer, it can definitely lead to flare-ups, so wear protection every day!
Be careful with coverage – some makeup can actually cause your skin to become shiny, so be sure to use something that is suitable for sensitive skin that helps control shine while providing coverage – like Rosalique cream!
Above all, it's important to stay positive. It can be hard sometimes, but rosacea is really common, so there's a growing understanding and less judgment about this skin condition. Find online support groups. Remember that there are literally millions of other people around the world who are dealing with the same issues as you. We're all in this together, and while there's no cure, we can help build confidence and encourage each other to be happy and confident in the skin we have.
