At Affinity Dermatology in Frisco, Texas, we help our patients combat rosacea, a common skin condition that causes redness or flushing and may produce small bumps similar to acne. If you think you might have rosacea or any other skin condition, get in touch with our staff, who can help get you treatment.
Symptoms
The most apparent symptom of rosacea is redness and flushing in response to rosacea triggers. on your cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead. Enlarged blood vessels called telangiectasias may occur. The most common areas include the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead, but the redness can also appear on the neck, head, ears, or chest. Redness occurs due to broken blood vessels swelling and thickening, causing them to show through the skin.
Other symptoms include:
- Eye problems like redness, pain, or gritty sensation
- Rough, sensitive, or dry skin
- Swollen, bulb-shaped nose (rhinophyma)
Large pores - Apparent and enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia)
These symptoms can cause significant discomfort, in addition to an uncomplimentary red complexion. flare up for weeks, go away, and then return, so treatment is necessary to get better!
Causes
The cause of rosacea is not known but there are a few things known to influence whether a patient will develop this condition:
- Your genes – Rosacea tends to run in families.
- Mites – These are tiny insects that generally live on your skin without harm, but some individuals have a heightened sensitivity to these mites.
- Bacteria – H. pylori, a bacteria that usually live in your gut, can raise the amount of a digestive hormone called gastrin, causing your skin to look red.
No matter the cause, we have treatments to reduce discomfort and to help diminish redness and breakouts
Triggers and Treatments
Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are a number of available methods to help patients manage the symptoms. The first is trigger avoidance. Common triggers for rosacea include sun exposure, hot or spicy foods, extremes of temperature, use of irritating products, and alcohol (particularly red wine). Patients should commit to wearing sunscreen daily, SPF 30 or higher, wearing hats, and avoiding things that trigger their rosacea. Prescription therapies include oral low-dose antibiotics and various topical creams, but these should always be in conjunction with avoiding triggers. Laser therapy with Aerolase or Cutera Xeo and electrocautery treatments can also help reduce the appearance of enlarged blood vessels.
DIY Remedies
We suggest having a dermatologist examine your skin, but there are some home remedies you can do in the meantime.
- Avoid triggers such as sunlight, hot or cold temperatures, wind, stress, spicy food or drinks, alcohol, etc.
- Wear sunscreen daily
- Use only gentle skin products. Avoid anything that is alcohol-based, fragranced, or contains harsh ingredients.
- Moisturize regularly