Understanding Rosacea

One of the worst parts about rosacea is that this skin condition affects such a visible area, typically the face and chest. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, broken blood vessels, and pimples. The skin may thicken especially in the nose area. There is no cure for rosacea but treatments can help the symptoms and slow down its progression.

The most noticeable symptom of rosacea is redness in the face or chest. Flareups of the condition can occur for weeks or months. Because the inflammation and skin texture issues are sometimes similar to acne, rosacea may be misdiagnosed and therefore not properly treated.

The cause of this skin condition is unclear, but environmental and genetic factors have shown to play a role. Anyone can develop rosacea, although middle-aged, light-skinned women are at the highest risk. Researchers have identified some things that trigger rosacea flareups. Some of these include sun exposure, stress, alcohol consumption, hot weather, heavy exercise, wind, humidity, hot baths, and some skincare products.

Understanding rosacea triggers and avoiding them can go a long way in preventing outbreaks and delaying the progression of symptoms. For example, using safe sunscreen is a good start. Avoiding sun exposure is smart, not just due to the UV rays but also the rise in body temperature and tendency for flushing. Another good choice is finding the right types of cosmetic and skincare products that do not have fragrances, preservatives, alcohol, or other known risky ingredients.

The types of triggers mentioned above may be a little simpler to avoid, unlike ones like stress or extreme weather. No matter what causes the flareup, treatment methods suggested by a dermatologist such as Dr. Bernard Raskin in Bakersfield are important for controlling rosacea. Effective treatments may include topical medications, oral antibiotics, acne medications, light therapy, laser treatments and more. Finding the right combination of treatments can help you live a life free of the signs of rosacea.

If you are struggling with rosacea, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.