Rosacea: What It Is, Causes and Symptoms

Have you ever experienced rosacea, where persistent redness on your face feels like a blush that won’t go away? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide suffer from this common skin condition, which can be frustrating and confusing. 

This blog will explain rosacea, exploring its causes, symptoms, and effective management methods. Whether you’re dealing with rosacea or know someone who is, understanding this condition is the first step toward finding relief.

What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term condition that mainly affects your face, leading to ongoing redness. It’s more common in women and those with lighter skin tones, but men often have more severe symptoms. Besides redness, rosacea can cause pimples, swelling, and sometimes eye irritation. 

It is often mistaken for acne, dermatitis, or other skin issues. Although there’s no cure, treatments can help identify the signs and symptoms and improve skin health.

Types Of Rosacea

Rosacea is classified into four different types. They are:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

This type causes constant redness on the face and visible, enlarged blood vessels. Symptoms can come and go unexpectedly.

2. Papulopustular Rosacea

It leads to pimples filled with pus or fluid, similar to acne. Your skin may also swell.

3. Phymatous Rosacea

This type makes your skin swell and thicken, often making it bumpy. It usually affects the nose, making it look enlarged and bulbous.

4. Ocular Rosacea

Ocular Rosacea affects the eyes, making them feel irritated, bloodshot, or watery. Your eyes may be light-sensitive, and painful bumps can form on your eyelids (styes).

How Common is Rosacea and Who is Affected?

About 1 in 20 people in the UK are affected by rosacea, usually beginning in middle age. Although it can impact anyone, it is most common in individuals with fair skin, women, and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Symptoms typically start to appear after the age of 30. While rare, children and teenagers can also develop rosacea. Your likelihood of having rosacea increases if a family member also has the condition.

Research indicates that men and people assigned male at birth often experience more severe symptoms because they tend to seek treatment later, allowing the condition to progress.

What Causes Rosacea Redness?

The exact cause is unknown. However, there are several factors might contribute:

1. Blood Vessels, Immune System, or Nervous System Issues

Problems with any of these systems may lead to rosacea symptoms.

2. Microscopic Skin Mites 

Demodex–These tiny mites naturally live on your skin, especially the nose and cheeks. Having too many of them can cause rosacea.

3. Infections

The bacteria H. pylori can cause infections. Some studies suggest that people who have had this infection may develop rosacea.

4. Protein Malfunction

The cathelicidin protein helps protect your skin from infections. If this protein doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to rosacea symptoms.

Rosacea Face—Signs & Symptoms

Here are the signs and symptoms of rosacea

Main Signs:

The appearance of rosacea can vary significantly from person to person, and not everyone will experience all of these signs. Typically, rosacea includes at least one of the following primary signs:

• Flushing: Many people with rosacea often have a history of frequent blushing, known as flushing. This involves sudden and temporary redness on the face that may come and go.
• Constant Redness: This is continuous facial redness that can resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.
• Bumps and Pimples: little, red, solid bumps or pimples filled with pus may appear on the skin. These bumps can resemble acne but do not cause blackheads. They may also cause a burning or stinging sensation.
• Visible Blood Vessels: Thin, red lines resembling tiny blood vessels may become visible on the skin.

Symptoms:

Along with its visible signs, rosacea can cause the following symptoms:

• Irritation In Eyes: Your eyes may feel irritated, appearing watery or bloodshot. This can lead to styes, redness, and swelling of the eyelids. In severe cases, untreated rosacea can damage the cornea and affect vision.
• Burning or Stinging: You may feel your skin burning or something stinging on your face. It can also feel itchy or tight.
• Dry Appearance: The skin in the central part of your face may feel rough and appear very dry.
• Plaques: Raised red patches resembling a rash may develop without affecting the surrounding skin.
• Skin Thickening: In some instances, rosacea can cause the skin on the nose to thicken and enlarge, leading to a condition called rhinophyma. It may give the nose a bulbous appearance.
• Swelling: Facial swelling (oedema) may occur independently or alongside other rosacea signs.

These signs and symptoms can vary in severity and may occur intermittently. If you notice these signs, talk to your doctor so there should be a proper diagnosis and treatment of rosacea. Also read our insightful guide on how to get rid of rosacea permanently.

Where Do Rosacea Symptoms Mostly Appear?

Rosacea symptoms can appear on your:

• Nose.
• Chin.
• Cheeks.
• Forehead.
• Eyes.
• Chest.
• Ears
• Neck.
• Scalp.

Is It An Autoimmune Disease?

Researchers are investigating if rosacea involves the immune system. In some types, like papulopustular rosacea, a specific Bacillus oleronius can cause the immune system to work against healthy skin cells, leading to symptoms. Other cases may be triggered by the immune system reacting to environmental changes, such as sunlight or temperature shifts.

What Factors Trigger Rosacea?

Rosacea may be triggered by:

• Sun exposure
• Hot or cold temperatures
• Stress
• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• Specific skin care or hair products
• Hormonal changes

If you’re unsure what triggers your rosacea symptoms, try keeping a diary for a few days to track what you eat, drink, and use on your skin or hair and how your skin reacts each day. This can help you identify specific triggers. Once you know your triggers, avoiding them can help reduce how often your symptoms flare up.

What Are Treatments For Rosacea?

Treatment for rosacea focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing flare-ups:

1. Medications

Oral or topical medicines help manage bumps, pimples, and redness.

2. Laser Treatment

Treat rosacea with Lumecca laser may help in reducing the redness, appearance of blood channels and other spots on your skin.

3. Surgical Procedures

In severe cases, surgery can correct nose disfigurement from rhinophyma.

Talk To Your Doctor About Rosacea

Understanding rosacea is crucial for managing this common skin condition that affects millions worldwide. While there’s no cure, advancements in medication but IPL Treatment(Lumecca Treatment) offer for managing symptoms effectively.

If you or someone you know is affected by rosacea, consult a healthcare provider. Individuals can minimise flare-ups and enhance their quality of life by identifying triggers, exploring options like laser or hydrafacial in Leeds may help your skin health and  allow you to maintain a proactive skincare routine. With ongoing research into its causes and treatments, the future promises improved management strategies and better outcomes for those living with rosacea.

FAQs About Rosacea

1. What deficiency causes rosacea?

Some evidence suggests that vitamin deficiencies, particularly B vitamins like B-12, may be linked to rosacea.

2. What is the root cause of rosacea?

Rosacea may be caused by increased skin sensitivity to environmental factors like UV light and skin microbes. Both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role.

3. Is vitamin C good for rosacea?

Yes, vitamin C can help treat rosacea. Its anti-swelling properties soothe inflamed skin and protect it from free radicals and sun rays, which worsen rosacea.

4. Can rosacea go away?

Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatments can reduce symptoms and flares. Consult your doctor to manage your condition and keep symptoms under control.

5. Is rosacea serious?

Rosacea can increase the risk of other diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, and migraines, according to several studies.