Acne rosacea is a chronic disease that affects mainly the facial skin, characterized by flare-ups and remissions. It varies from typical acne in that it generally begins affecting individuals over the age of thirty on cheeks, nose, chin or forehead, but sometimes can occur on the chest, neck, scalp or ears too. If untreated, pimples often develop and in most severe cases the nose grows swollen and bumpy due to excess tissue. In many cases, and unlike any other form of acne, acne rosacea also affects the eyes, which feel irritated and look watery and bloodshot. As you can imagine, for sufferers, this can be very painful and embarassing. Even though anyone can suffer from it, people with fair skin who flush or blush easily are more prone to develop Rosacea. It is more common in women than men, but men tend to develop more severe forms. There is no known cure for acne rosacea, but medical therapy helps keeping it under control and in most cases reversing the symptoms. If you suspect you have rosacea, you should consult your local dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. What Are The Main Symptoms of Acne Rosacea? The main symptoms of Acne Rosacea vary widely from one individual to another and generally only some of the potential signs appear. Experts claim that it always includes one of the following primary symptoms: * Flushing * Persistent Redness of the face * Bumps and Pimples * Visible Blood Vessels Acne Rosacea Treatment As signs and symptoms vary widely from one sufferer to another, acne rosacea treatment should be tailored by a dermatologist for each particular case. Dermatologists can prescribe various oral and topical treatments to cure pimples and redness associated with the disease. Generally, the initial treatment consists of *oral antibiotics* combined with *topical treatment* to bring the condition under control, followed by long-term topical treatment to maintain it. Depending on your skin type and the frequency of treatment this process can work to significantly reduce the effects of Acne Rosacea. In some cases, laser or intense pulsed light therapy are used for acne rosacea treatment, in order to reduce redness, remove visible blood vessels and correct nose disfigurement. This is the type of laser procedure on makeover shows and while they don't offer a complete cure for the condition, can visibly reduce symptoms and work to make the condition manageable. Ocular rosacea however is usually best treated with antibiotics. Skin Care Individuals who suffer from acne rosacea should consult their dermatologist to make sure the skin care treatment they are using is suitable for their condition. Patients are usually advised to use *mild and non-abrasive cleaners* to wash their face, rinse it with warm water and blot it dry using a soft cotton towel. They should only use non-irritating products and use a *sunscreen* with an SPF of minimum 15 to protect their skin from sunlight. If you have acne rosacea, you may use cosmetics to conceal the effects. *Green tinted*, followed by a skin-tone foundation in natural yellow tones can be used to conceal redness. Makeup with ping or orange hues should be avoided. Lifestyle A healthy lifestyle is also part of the whole acne rosacea treatment and it can help you maintain remission and avoid the external factors that cause flare ups or aggravate your skin condition. Here are some of the things you should do: * *Avoid hot drinks*, lots of *coffee, spicy foods* and *alcohol*. Although most people think acne rosacea is linked to alcoholism, it can also affect someone who doesn't drink at all. * Practice a good *sun protection* and avoid extremely high or low temperatures. * *Avoid aggressive behavior* against your face, such as rubbing or scrubbing, as it can irritate the reddened skin. * Work out only in cool environments and *do not overheat*. * *Avoid cosmetics* and *skin-care products* that *irritate* your skin and use hair sprays properly. * Try keeping a *diary* of all flushing episodes and write down what foods, products, medications ore activities are they associated with. |
