Rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by facial erythema.Pimples are sometimes included as part of the definition. Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition.
Dermatological vascular laser or Intense Pulsed Light (broad spectrum) machines offer one of the best treatments for rosacea, in particular the erythema (redness) of the skin. They use light to penetrate the epidermis to target the capillaries in the dermis layer of the skin. The light is absorbed by oxy-hemoglobin which heat up causing the capillary walls to heat up to 70 °C (158 °F) , damaging them, causing them to be absorbed by the body's natural defense mechanism. With a sufficient number of treatments, this method may even eliminate the redness altogether, though additional periodic treatments will likely be necessary to remove newly-formed capillaries
Does rosacea cause facial swelling, burning or itching?
A. Facial burning, stinging and itching are commonly reported by many rosacea patients. Certain rosacea sufferers may also experience some swelling (edema) in the face that may become noticeable as early as the initial stage of the disease. The same flushing that brings on rosacea's redness can be associated with a build-up of fluid in the tissues of the face. It often occurs above the nasolabial folds -- the creases from the nose to each side of the mouth -- and can cause a "baggy cheek" appearance. It is also believed that in some patients this swelling process may contribute to the development of excess tissue on the nose (rhinophyma), causing it to become bulbous and bumpy.
I suffer from regular acne in addition to rosacea. Is this common?
A. Rosacea and regular acne, called acne vulgaris, usually appear separately, but some patients are affected by both. While both conditions in adults are often informally referred to as "adult acne," they are two separate diseases, each requiring different therapy. Acne vulgaris is associated with plugging of the ducts of the oil glands, resulting in blackheads and pimples on the face and sometimes also the back, shoulders or chest. Rosacea seems to be linked to the vascular network of the central facial skin and causes redness, bumps, pimples and other symptoms that rarely go beyond the face. Special care is necessary in treating patients with both conditions because some standard medications for acne vulgaris can make rosacea worse.
Can you get rosacea on other parts of your body?
Although it is not a common feature of rosacea, symptoms have been reported to appear beyond the face. In a National Rosacea Society survey, rosacea patients reported experiencing symptoms on the neck, chest, scalp, ears and back.
Can rosacea be cured?
While rosacea cannot be cured, medical treatments are available that can control or eliminate its various signs and symptoms.
How is rosacea treated?
The signs and symptoms of rosacea vary substantially from one patient to another, and treatment must therefore be tailored by a physician for each individual case. Some patients are troubled by redness and flushing, while others have bumps and pimples, thickening of the skin, or eye rosacea or combinations. For patients with redness and pimples, doctors often prescribe oral antibiotics and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, followed by long-term use of the topical therapy alone to maintain remission.
When appropriate, laser treatment or other surgical procedures may be used to remove visible blood vessels, reduce extensive redness or correct disfigurement of the nose. Eye symptoms are commonly treated with oral antibiotics and ophthalmic therapy.
In addition, rosacea patients are advised to identify and avoid lifestyle and environmental factors that may aggravate their individual conditions. Patients may also benefit from gentle and appropriate skin care, and cosmetics may be used to reduce the effect of rosacea on appearance.
How does laser therapy work?
A. To remove visible blood vessels or reduce extensive redness, vascular lasers emit wavelengths of light that target tiny blood vessels just under the skin. Heat from the laser's energy builds in the vessels, causing them to disintegrate. Generally, at least three treatments are required, depending on the severity of redness or visible blood vessels.
Rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by facial erythema.Pimples are sometimes included as part of the definition. Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition.
Dermatological vascular laser or Intense Pulsed Light (broad spectrum) machines offer one of the best treatments for rosacea, in particular the erythema (redness) of the skin. They use light to penetrate the epidermis to target the capillaries in the dermis layer of the skin. The light is absorbed by oxy-hemoglobin which heat up causing the capillary walls to heat up to 70 °C (158 °F) , damaging them, causing them to be absorbed by the body's natural defense mechanism. With a sufficient number of treatments, this method may even eliminate the redness altogether, though additional periodic treatments will likely be necessary to remove newly-formed capillaries