Rosacea Affects More Than 14 Million Americans
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects more than 14 million Americans. The cause is unknown and there is no cure, leaving many people to struggle with the often disruptive symptoms of this disorder. Rosacea is not contagious and cannot be spread through skin contact. Rosacea is characterized by redness: flushing, bumps and pimples, bloodshot eyes, and prolonged redness of the face. Because symptoms frequently include pimples that look like whiteheads, rosacea is often confused with acne.
Symptoms of rosacea usually begin after age 30. The condition is three times more common in women than men, but men often report more severe symptoms. This may be because many men wait to be diagnosed, allowing the condition to worsen.
Anyone can get rosacea, although several factors are associated with your likelihood of being affected. There is some indication that rosacea may be inherited, because a large percentage of patients have a family member with the condition. Ethnicity may also play a role. Women of Irish and English descent are the most commonly represented rosacea patients. Generally, those with light skin and eyes between the ages of 30 and 50 are the most likely to have rosacea.
This article will discuss:
Symptoms
Rosacea manifests with many symptoms, most of which are types of skin redness and irritation. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Facial flushing or a blush-like symptom that comes and goes
- Long-lasting redness that can appear like a sunburn
- Small, hard bumps or pimples may appear accompanied by stinging and burning
- Visible blood vessels
- Bloodshot and watery eyes
- Skin thickening
Triggers
Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, many patients recognize a pattern between outbreaks associated with certain internal and external triggers. These triggers can include a variety of things the patient experiences or is exposed to:
- Certain food and beverages such as alcohol, spicy food, citrus fruit, and cheese
- Temperature, most often when overheated
- Weather, including sun, wind, cold, and humidity
- Emotions, especially stress and anxiety
- Skin care products containing irritants like alcohol or perfumes
- Exertion, anything that overheats the face could cause an outbreak
- Existing medical conditions like menopause
Because these categories could include virtually anything, rosacea patients have to pay close attention to what could be causing their outbreaks. Once triggers are identified, it is much easier for patients to avoid triggers and reduce the number of their outbreaks.
Treatment
Treatment for rosacea varies widely from patient to patient because the symptoms and triggers vary so much between patients. Frequently, the initial treatment includes antibiotics to control an outbreak. It is thought that antibiotics are effective because of their anti-inflammatory effects rather than their antibacterial properties. Eye drops are often prescribed for patients with bloodshot and watery eyes.
Once outbreaks are under control, topical creams an be used for long-term treatment. There are many creams available that address some of the problems associated with rosacea. Prescription acne creams are sometimes used to reduce the occurrence of pustules, while other creams are tailored to be broader treatments. However, steroid creams should never be used to treat rosacea since they can actually cause rosacea-like symptoms as side effects..
In some cases where extensive redness, visible blood vessels, and nose thickening are prominent, patients choose to undergo laser treatments or surgery in order to reduce the appearance of symptoms.
Many patients benefit from following a good skin care routine and then use makeup to conceal any remaining redness. To avoid common rosacea triggers, all skin care and makeup products should be gentle and have minimal fragrance to avoid irritating skin.
Skin Care
More products than ever are formulated for sensitive skin, making it easier to find appropriately non-irritating products for rosacea. Dr Perricone’s skin care line has a number of products that are gentle enough for skin with rosacea. They also contain potent ingredients like vitamin C ester that can reduce rosacea symptoms like redness and irritation. If you chose to purchase something from the skin care line, don’t forget your Perrionce code to save money on your order.
Gentle Cleanser is formulated with antioxidants and olive oil polyphenols to cleanse and smooth skin without irritation. It works to prevent outbreaks that could be caused by harsh cleansers while also keeping the skin clean and pores unclogged. Rosacea patients should use their fingers to wash skin and avoid abrasive sponges or wash pads.
Concentrated Restorative Cream contains vitamin C ester. This night treatment is used to reduce skin discolorations and imperfections like those that can result from rosacea outbreaks. Using a repairing treatment like this may help to reduce the appearance of redness without having to go to the extreme of undergoing costly medical procedures.
More information on Concentrated Restorative Treatment is available in this video:
If you suspect that you may have rosacea, check out this list of symptoms and decide if you need to talk to your doctor. The sooner rosacea is identified, the easier it to identify your triggers and begin tailoring a treatment to your symptoms.
I have slight rosacea or dermatitis on one side of my face. It abruptly started about four years ago and has never gone away, only sometimes reduced. I use mineral makeup daily and try to stay away from sugar and flour and high-inflammatory foods. It makes me really self conscious and I currently use an aloe cream to help.
I have battled rosacea ever since I was a teenager but as an adult I have realized that it flares up when I am stresed out… It gets so bad that my face bleeds to the point of blotting it with tissue…Having 2 autistic kids exacerbates the condition..
I have been suffering with the occasional redness on my face for a couple of years. My face would look like it was sunburned. I had to cover up with lots of heavy makeup and it felt awful. Finally made the appointment to see my doctor when I couldn’t stand it anymore.
The doctor gave me 2 different perscriptions for gels and ointments. They seemed to work but it took weeks to see any results and my face still had to be covered with makeup to hide the redness. I bought Shielo’s Complexion Moisturizer after reading some of the reviews and decided this would be cheaper than another doctor visit plus the cost of more of the same expensive creams. I gave it a shot.
Boy, was I surprised. The burning stopped with the very first application and the redness was greatly reduced overnight. I no longer have the dryness that the other ointments caused.
After just 2 or 3 days, my face was back to normal and even my husband was amazed at the quick improvement. Keeping it on hand for flare ups.
Hello
I have had oily skin since a teenager. Now in my 50s and skin has become dry although when I use moisturisers I suffer from clogged pores and blackheads. Have a lot of sun damage and broken blood vessels. My skin cannot tolerate perfumed products.
I am currently using Oracea and it seems my mild rosacea has gotten worse. I have African American skin and have tried nearly everything. I have not yet tried Dr. Perricone’s products but have read the wrinkle cure recently and am starting with my diet. I would absolutely love to be a tester!!!
I am 50 years old and i have been diagnosed by a derm that i have rosacea and olcur my cheeks and nose are red and have pimples and dry skin i ahve had it for several years. I have not found anything to help it. I am in menopause and have alot of stress in my life and taking of elder parents and working. Would love to be a tester.
37. Rosacea: for 5 years. Getting worse. There is still a chance to rejuvenate my skin–it’s not too late! There is always hope!
I have had rosacea for the past 5-6 years. I’m mid fifties and SO tired of it! I get a brilliant red nose w bumps and it is so embarrassing. I know people must think I’m a hard drinker…and I don’t drink! I’ve tried products from the dermatologist without success. I’d love to be a tester!
I’m a 25 year old male who has had rosacea for just over half a year now but I see it progressing quickly. Im doing everything in my power to stop this as its very frustrating causing burning and a red face. Im taking supplements right now but am paranoid about those even with such things as chromium and the gelatin maybe causing acne like bumps. I would love to be a tester as Im very lost as to what cleanser to use. pleeaaaaase help.
This is the information I’ve been looking for!!
I’ve been following the Perricone Prescription diet and supplement regimen for a month now, and I was diagnosed with Rosacea 10 months ago.
I was hoping the doctor had some Rosacea specific products, but couldn’t find them until today! Great news!!
I’m a 52 year old Menopausal women dealing with mild/moderate rosecea ontop of horrendous menopause systems. I’ve had aweful skin for the last 10 years and recently heard it referred to as hormonally aging. I’m about to start on bioidentical hormone replacement and want to start a new skincare program at the same time. I’m ready for a new chapter in my life. I think that the Perricone skincare line is exactly what I’m looking for.
while i follow Dr. Perricone’s diet to a T this has helped slow the progression of my rosacea– after 33 years of perfect skin to have this now is very hard. it really does disrupt one’s life. i would be grateful to be a “tester” for the skin care line.
If the products work and I believe in them; I would LOVE to be a Perricone Tester! I am a 41 year old woman with Rosasia! So Certain products Burn my face. I don’t always wear makeup do to the perfumes in them and lotions. I can’t afford the medications they have on the market. So I use natural soaps and perfume free lotions. But, I am still Searching for that “RIGHT” product.
Thank you,
Liesel Beagley
I have very oily skin that you can fry an egg on. I also have skin and ocular rosacea. I have seen a number of dermatologists and nothing has worked. I would be interested in anything you have for this CURSE. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO very tired of people making comments to me about my red face. I am a RN and work with the public. I would so very much love to have a complexion of a normal person.
I am of Irish/English decent, age 50, fair skinned, red hair, oily skin, broken capillaries around nose, and tiny, hard red bumps on my nose. I would love to get help with this. Dr. Perricone makes the best products ever. I have tried over 30 skin care systems in 7 years, and I will only use N.V.Perricone.I would love to be a tester of anything Perricone!