Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic red condition of the facial skin which is comprised of a vascular component and an infection.
What causes rosacea?
Certain foods or drinks may trigger the redness of the face which is due to dilation or opening up of capillaries. The most common of these are alcohol and spicy foods. Drugs such as those used for high blood pressure and topical cortisone creams can also cause dilation of the capillaries. Ultraviolet light from the sun, tanning beds, and frequent overheating, hot baths, saunas, and stress can all cause or aggravate the redness. Over time, small facial spider veins form and become permanent due to the chronic dilation of the blood vessels.
The infection component is not always present but when it is, it pimples or pustules appear usually on the nose, cheeks and chin. These can be brought under control with prescription oral antibiotics like Doxycycline and maintained with prescription topical antibiotics like Metrogel. See your board-certified dermatologist for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
How can rosacea be treated?
Laser treatments including intense pulsed light or Nd-YAG laser can reduce the redness; however, unless the underlying causes are addressed, rosacea tends to recur. This may require giving up alcohol or your favorite spicy dish.
Some alternative therapies include taking Vitamin B2, riboflavin, or homeopathic licorice.
Untreated, rosacea can cause problems with the eyes and can also cause the nose to become bulbous and very large. This condition, called rhinophyma, can be treated with cosmetic laser surgery with very gratifying results.
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