What is acne rosacea?
Acne rosacea is a skin problem that affects the nose and face. It
causes redness and lumps. Blood vessels become more visible.
Sometimes the nose gets larger and looks misshapen.
Rosacea can happen at any age, but it is most often seen in adults
who are fair-skinned between the ages of 30 and 50.
How does it occur?
The cause of acne rosacea is not well understood. It seems to run
in families and so may be inherited. It may be caused by
overactive blood vessels in the skin. Contrary to popular belief,
rosacea is not caused by alcoholism.
Rosacea is not related to the pimples and cysts of acne. But
people who have rosacea may also have acne. Acne and rosacea are
often treated with the same medicines.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are a red nose and visible blood vessel
patterns on the nose. In women, redness and blood vessels may
appear only on the cheeks and chin.
Over time the nose may develop small lumps and look swollen. The
nose can become quite enlarged, and its surface may become
thickened with scar tissue.
Sometimes rosacea also affects the eyelids, which become red and
swollen. Rarely, the surface of the eyes may be affected, causing
a sense of burning and grittiness.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will examine your skin. In rare cases a
skin biopsy (removal of a small sample of skin) may be done to
confirm the diagnosis.
How is it treated?
If you have increased flushing and blushing that does not go away
and gets worse, you should see your healthcare provider. Treatment
of rosacea is very important because it can permanently damage
facial tissues.
Rosacea is often first treated with antibiotics. Some of these
medicines are taken by mouth. Others are put on the skin.
If rosacea is affecting your eyes, your provider may prescribe
antibiotic medicine for your eyes. You may be referred to an eye
doctor.
For more severe cases of rosacea, an oral medicine called
isotretinoin (Accutane) may be prescribed. Women must use this
medicine very carefully. Isotretinoin causes birth defects if a
woman takes it 1 to 2 months before she gets pregnant or during
pregnancy.
A new medicine that may be prescribed for rosacea is called
Finacea (azelaic acid). It is a gel medicine for acne that can be
put on your skin.
Steroid creams put on the face can sometimes help. These creams
should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare provider
even if they are nonprescription. Sometimes prolonged use of
steroids can cause skin damage, especially when they are not
correctly used on the face.
If the usual medicines do not help the problem, and especially if
your nose is significantly enlarged or deformed, you may be
referred to a dermatologist. Dermatologists are skin specialists
and can suggest other possible treatments, including various types
of surgery. In some cases laser surgery is an effective treatment
for rosacea.
How long will the effects last?
It is rare for rosacea to go away on its own and the condition
usually worsens over time. Rosacea can be successfully treated if
it is diagnosed in its early stages.
How can I take care of myself?
How do I prevent acne rosacea?
Because the cause of rosacea is not well understood, prevention of
this problem is also not well understood. Rosacea may be inherited
and therefore it may not be easy to prevent. However, people who
have just started having rosacea, or who have a family history of
rosacea, should avoid any foods, drinks, or other irritants (such
as sunburn) that cause facial flushing. Frequent facial flushing
may cause rosacea to appear for the first time or to worsen.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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