This common but often
chronic skin condition has 4 recognized stages and each
stage has different signs and symptoms, all of which
affect the face. The two stages in this article are
the two early stages of Pre-Rosacea and Vascular Rosacea.
The signs and symptoms of Pre-Rosacea
The main symptom of this very earliest stage is frequent
flushing. This flushing can affect the forehead, nose,
cheeks and chin. The skin can become so sensitive
that a burning sensation may occur when cosmetics
or creams are applied. The face may even become swollen.
It is almost impossible to predict when this flushing
will happen but there may well be triggers. These
triggers will vary from person to person but could
be emotional, chemical, environmental or even food.
Some sufferers have claimed that the following triggers
have aggravated their condition:
• Heat (including hot baths) and saunas
• Sunlight or wind or very cold temperatures
• Strenuous exercise
• Hot or spicy foods and beverages
• Alcohol consumption
• Long term use of tropical steroids on the
face
• Menopause
• Emotional stress, anger or embarrassment
• Drugs that dilate the blood vessels, including
some blood pressure medications
In time the tendency to flush or blush easily will
progress to a persistent redness in the central portion
of the face, particularly the nose. This redness results
from the dilation of blood vessels close to your skin’s
surface. By this stage, those who suffer from even
pre-rosacea may start to feel self conscious about
their appearance so that they start to avoid social
occasions and even going out in public. Depression,
low self-esteem and embarrassment can all set in so
that the condition becomes a psychological as well
as a physical problem.
The signs and symptoms of Vascular Rosacea
As the signs and symptoms of pre-rosacea worsen,
vascular rosacea may develop. There will be small
blood vessels on the nose and the cheeks which will
swell and become visible, showing through the skin
as small red lines. This is called telangiectasia.
The skin will feel warm and look puffy. The skin may
become even more sensitive and the rosacea may be
accompanied by oily skin and dandruff. Eventually,
flushing and redness become persistent and then permanent.
If you have telangiectasia, then this can be greatly
aggravated by your lifestyle. Rosacea is much more
likely in female adults with a fair skin between the
ages of 30 and 60. If you have a lifestyle which includes
a steady diet of hot, spicy food, above average alcohol
consumption, smoking cigarettes and eating meals too
quickly, then telangiectasia will surely follow.
If telangiectasia is present, those small delicate
capillaries in the skin are affected as the elasticity
deteriorates, so they remain slightly dilated. The
skin gradually becomes congested and eventually the
capillaries become visible through the skin’s
surface.
There are even further advanced stages of rosacea.
But of course you need to treat your early stages
of rosacea and change your lifestyle long before you
reach such stages.
Although there is no overnight cure for rosacea,
it can be treated and controlled. The goals of treatment
are to control the condition and improve the appearance
of your skin. Unfortunately, rosacea rarely clears
up unaided and it usually worsens over time if left
untreated. Treatments tend to be more effective the
earlier they commence. Avoid any over the counter
products that contain ingredients such as acids, alcohol
and other irritants as the chances are that they may
actually worsen rosacea. It is safer to see your doctor
or dermatologist so that they can prescribe a safe
treatment or to use a natural healing product available
on line. In addition to starting a course of treatment,
you can help at home by avoiding anything which you
think might trigger a flare up. Keep a diary of such
flare ups so that you can identify what might be a
cause.
In addition to the triggers we have already described:
• Protect your face from the sun or the cold
in winter.
• Avoid touching or rubbing your facial skin
• If using a topical medication, apply any moisturizer
once the medication has dried.
• Use products that are labeled noncomedogenic.
With sensible care and treatment, you can be successful
in diminishing the appearance of rosacea and the accompanying
flare ups.
