What Is Acne Rosacea?

*Acne rosacea, or simply rosacea, is a chronic condition which causes facial redness on the cheeks, forehead and chin in conjunction with blemish outbreaks.

*Flushing occurs as a sudden increase in blood flow through the vessels causes them to enlarge.

*Left untreated rosacea can actually lead to permanent changes in appearance.

What Is The Cause Of Rosacea?

Researchers are not certain what causes rosacea. The following are theories that may be responsible for the condition:

• A disorder of the blood vessels that causes them to swell, leading to flushing.
• A genetic predisposition combined with certain environmental factors that may irritate the skin.
• Clogging of the sebaceous gland openings with skin mites called Demodex folliculorum, which live in facial hair follicles.
• Rosacea seems to be more prevalent in fair skinned individuals.
  

What Are The Four Types Of Rosacea?

• Erythematotelangiectatic. Symptoms include flushing and often thin, red lines (telangiectasias) on the face. In some cases there is stinging or burning of the face.
  
• Papulopustular. Symptoms include small pimples (pustules), you can also have facial flushing and tiny, red lines on your cheeks.
  
• Phymatous. Symptoms include thick, bumpy skin and large pores. The most common type affects the nose rhinophyma. Other types affect the chin, forehead, ears, and eyelids. You may also have flushing, pimples, and visible blood veins. .
• Ocular. Symptoms include red, dry, and irritated eyes. Eyelids may swell or feel dry and flaky. In severe cases you may feel pain or have blurred vision.

What Are The Rosacea Triggers?

There are several things that trigger rosacea. Some of these include:

*Drinking alcoholic beverages.

*Eating of hot or spicy food.

*Drinking caffeine in any form.

*Participating in heavy exercise.

*Any activity or situation that causes stress.

*Excessive exposure to sunlight.

*Exposure to extreme weather conditions.

*The skin is often sensitive to soaps, lotions and cosmetics.

Keep a list or diary of triggers to help you avoid those foods, products, or activities that might cause flare-ups. Even people who are using medicine to control rosacea benefit from avoiding triggers.

What Can Be Done For Rosacea?

As with many human conditions, the doctors do not fully understand the causes of rosacea, and there is no cure. The individual suffering from this condition fights a continuous battle of pain and embarrassment, coupled with a need to relieve and cover the redness and bumps on their face.

Treatments For Rosacea:

*Treatment may include oral antibiotics. Your skin may be too sensitive for you to use ointments on your face.

*In mild cases, you can apply a gentle anti-inflammatory product and sunscreen in the morning. If medication does not clear up the thin, red lines, which are tiny blood vessels, a form of laser surgery called pulsed dye laser therapy may help.

*Your doctor may prescribe isotretinoin for phymatous rosacea in its early stages.

*Surgery or laser resurfacing can reshape the nose in severe cases of rhinophyma.

*Artificial tears will improve the dry eye condition.

*Ointments work well for mild cases. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic pills.

Are There Vitamins That Might Help My Condition?

There are a few vitamins that when introduced into the diet may help:

Niacin taken orally improves the red, inflamed, pimply skin.

Vitamin B6 reduces flaking and breakouts.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is helpful in healing cases of the eye disorder rosacea keratitis.

Vitamin A has been successful in controlling rosacea flare-ups and reducing inflammation.

Herbs That May Control Rosacea:

*Burdock: cleanses the system when taken internally, and has showed a posiive improvement with rosacea symptoms.