Rosacea – How to Identify and Treat the Skin Disorder

Monday, January 19 2009

Early diagnosis and treatment is very important to help control rosacea, which in severe cases, can become quite a nuisance in a person’s daily life. Following is a summary of the signs and symptoms of rosacea.

What Should I Look For?

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) states that Rosacea can vary substantially from one individual to the next. Usually, only a few, or perhaps several, of all the potential signs and symptoms appear.

In order to ensure an accurate assessment of rosacea signs and symptoms, the NRS gathered data from a consensus committee and review panel of 17 medical experts worldwide (see Classification of Rosacea). The NRS reports that rosacea always includes at least one of the following primary signs, and various secondary signs and symptoms may also develop.

Primary Signs of Rosacea
  
Flushing
Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder. 
  
Persistent Redness
The most common individual sign of rosacea, persistent facial redness often resembles a blush or sunburn that does not go away. 
  
Bumps and Pimples
Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. Many patients may misdiagnose these pimples as acne, however, blackheads are absent. Pimples associated with rosacea may also burn or sting.

Visible Blood Vessels
Small blood vessels become visible on the skin among many patients with rosacea.
Other Potential Signs and Symptoms

Eye Irritation
In more serious cases of rosacea, the eyes may become irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition known as ocular rosacea. The eyelids also may become red and swollen, and sties are common. Cleansing of the eyelids may become necessary, and if medical help is not obtained, severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss.

Burning or Stinging
Sensations of burning, stinging or even itching sensations may often occur on the face. The skin on a person’s face may also feel tight.

Dry Appearance
The skin the central region of the face may lose its smoothness, become rough, and therefore appear to be very dry.

Plaques
Plaques are raised red patches that may develop without changes to surrounding skin.

Skin Thickening
Excess skin tissue may grow , causing the skin to enlarge and thicken, particularly on the nose. This condition, known as rhinophyma, affects more men than women.

Swelling
Commonly referred to as edema, facial swelling can occur with or without other signs of rosacea.

Non-Facial Signs & Symptoms
Not all of the above signs and symptoms of rosacea develop on the face. Some patients experience the skin disorder on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

Rosacea Treatments
Although there is no cure for rosacea, it can be treated and controlled. Nearly all patients can see an improvement in their skin after receiving treatment recommended by a dermatologist (a doctor who works with diseases of the skin). Following are some ways that rosacea can be treated.

For the skin:

• Some antibiotics can be put directly on the skin. Other times, oral antibiotics can be used. The skin bumps may get better quickly, but redness and flushing are less likely to improve.
• Electrosurgery and laser surgery can help to treat and hide the appearance of small red lines on the skin. For some people, laser surgery improves the skin without much scarring or damage.It is possible to remove extra skin tissue for patients who have a large, swollen, bumpy nose. This typically enables patients to feel better about their appearance.
• Although fashion trends come and go, green-tinted makeup has been described by many patients as a good mask for the skin's redness.
• AccessRx provides the skin antibiotic MetroGel, a proven product in helping to reduce the signs and symptoms of rosacea.

For the eyes:

• Oral antibiotics are the most common treatment for eye problems.
• Infections or inflammation of the eyelids requires patients to clean the eyelids frequently. Eyelids may be wiped or scrubbed gently with watered-down baby shampoo or over-the-counter eyelid cleaner, as directed by a physician. After cleaning, a warm (but not hot) compress can be applied several times a day.
• Your doctor may also prescribe steroid eye drops if necessary.
• One of the reasons to diagnose and treat rosacea quickly is to help prevent eye irritations. Up to 50 percent of rosacea patients experience problems with their eyes.
• Eye symptoms can include redness, dryness, itching, burning, excess tears, and an uncomfortable sensation that something is stuck in the eye. Sties often form repeatedly. Swollen and/or inflamed eyelids can occur. Additional serious signs of rosacea include a sensitivity to light, blurred vision or other vision problems.