Rosacea -Symptoms, Causes, Treatment And Home Remedies

The red patches of acne rosacea, which most often occur on cheeks and nose, can be a misery for women, causing emotional distress. Thirty-plus women ( and sometimes men) are most likely to be affected. There are four different phases in rosacea, according to leading cosmetic dermatologist Prof Nicholas Lowe**: the first is flushing and/or blushing; the second acne-like pustules and papules (small, raised red lumps); thirdly, permanently enlarged blood vessels (spider veins); finally, red, lumpy, bulbous enlargement of the noses (medically called rhinophyma). In rosacea keratitis, pustules and acne-like rashes can affect eyes and eyelids.

Causes of Rosacea

The underlying cause is a mystery, although different factors, including hormonal changes, can make it worse. Various triggers, particularly sunlight or heat, seem to stimulate chemicals in the body which cause the blood vessels to enlarge. Some foods, particularly coffee, chocolate, oranges, spices, and alcohol may also act as triggers. Cosmetics including AHA-based creams may also make rosacea worse.

Camouflage make-up can work wonders. Several Hollywood stars rely on Laura Mercier’s brilliant cover-up Secret Camouflage*.

Treatment for Rosacea

Drug Therapy

It includes antibiotics (usually tetracycline, which is safe for most people, even over long periods) or Rozex gel, it is the preferred treatment. In the last extreme, patients (though never women of childbearing age) are put on a very low dose of the drug Accutane.

Any redness, flushing and spider veins left after treatment can be removed by laser. It is also suggested that taking vitamins B1 and B2 also works wonders on the skin.

If the patient suffers from any digestive problems then she/he should consult a nutritionist.

Qualified Chinese herbal medicine practitioners also have a very good track record with skin conditions in general.

Home Remedies for Rosacea

Chamomile cold compress is a great remedy for rosacea because it has got an anti-inflammatory property which helps in reducing inflammation and redness. It has also got active ingredients like terpenoids and flavonoids which soothe inflamed skin.
Green tea has got antioxidant, anticarcinogen, anti-inflammatory properties which help in treating rosacea effectively. It helps in preventing papules and pustules from developing on the affected area.
Oatmeal helps in reducing itching, redness, and inflammation. Rub it on the affected and wash with cold water after 20 minutes.

Lifestyle Modifications For Rosacea

If you want to control the flare-ups of rosacea make sure to make this lifestyle Modifications in your day to day life. These self-care tips help to prevent future flare-ups of rosacea:

Avoid triggers:- Find your triggers for rosacea and avoid those triggers.
Avoid Direct Sunlight:- Use sunscreen on a daily basis. Try to incorporate broad-spectrum sunscreen in your skincare routine. The broad-spectrum sunscreen help to block both types of harmful UV radiation which UV-A as well as UV-B. You can select SPF based on your skin tone. Minimum SPF should be 30 and you can increase it according to your need. Apply sunscreen after use of topical medications and application of sunscreen should be the last step of your skincare routine.
Use Gentle Skin-care products:- Don’t use harsh scrubs on your face because it can further increase the flare-ups of rosacea. Instead, opt for chemical exfoliants which are not as harsh as compared to physical exfoliants. Use a soap-free cleanser and use a sensitive skin moisturiser. Use alcohol-free toners and avoid other skin irritants as well.
Use makeup to reduce redness:- If you want to hide those red cheeks then use some makeup products which can vanish your redness due to rosacea.

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This post was last modified on March 29, 2020 12:00 pm

Shanaya Maryam