Rosacea

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition affecting your face. It mainly appears in the nose, cheeks, and forehead areas. There are several subtypes of rosacea, including:

Erythromatotelangiectactic

Erythromatotelangiectactic rosacea features red skin and prominent blood vessels.

Papulopustular

Papulopustular rosacea causes papules and pustules, acne-like bumps that may or may not contain pus. 

Phymatous 

Phymatous rosacea causes thickened skin. It can range from mild to severe.

Ocular

Ocular rosacea affects the eyes, causing eye redness. 

You can have two or more subtypes of rosacea simultaneously.

When should I see a doctor about rosacea?

If you have episodes of possible rosacea symptoms on a regular basis, it's time to visit Dorset Street Dermatology. Some symptoms that require attention include:

• Red face
• Facial flushing with hot-feeling skin 
• Bumps (papules or pustules)
• Prominent blood vessels
• Skin thickening
• Thickened nose skin with a bulbous tip

Rosacea symptoms can often look a lot like acne or another type of rash. It's important to seek a diagnosis because rosacea requires its own treatment plan.

If you're not having symptoms right now, it's still important to seek help to reduce future flare-ups. The Dorset Street Dermatology team can diagnose your rosacea even if you're not having a flare-up at the moment.

What causes rosacea?

The cause of rosacea isn't known at this time. Researchers believe that it may be an autoimmune issue, a response to high skin pH, a food sensitivity, a reaction to microscopic skin mites, or an inherited condition. 

Although you can't prevent rosacea from developing, you can identify and manage your triggers to reduce flare-ups. Some of the most common rosacea triggers include:

• Strong sunlight 
• Stress
• Heavy exercise
• Extreme weather temperatures
• Wind
• Humid conditions, including outdoor and indoor humidity 
• Harsh facial exfoliants
• Harsh facial astringents
• Oil-based cosmetics
• Scented sun protection products
• Sun protection products with added insect repellents
• Alcohol consumption
• Cigarette smoking
• Very sugary foods
• Highly spicy foods
• Certain medications like calcium-channel blockers

Keep a diary of your symptoms and when they occur. You can work with the Dorset Street Dermatology team to identify the triggers and work around them.

How is rosacea treated?

Rosacea treatment focuses on managing your triggers, reducing skin inflammation, and caring for your sensitive skin. The exact treatment can depend upon your type of rosacea but may include topical creams, oral medications, eye drops for ocular rosacea, in-office services like broadband light (BBL), and lifestyle changes. 

The Dorset Street Dermatology team can also recommend premium skin care and sun protection products from Skinceuticals® and Obagi® to prevent irritation and flare-ups while maintaining healthy skin. 

If you have or suspect rosacea, call Dorset Street Dermatology or book an appointment online now.