Rosacea Sometimes Misdiagnosed As Acne
Rosacea is a long lasting non scarring skin condition of the face that is often misdiagnosed as acne. It varies in severity and does not always worsen with time. Typically you will experience inappropriate flushing that is not usually associated with sweating and/or persistent facial redness. It is common to have broken blood vessels on your cheeks. You may also experience bouts of inflammation that cause red papules or pustules. Blackheads and whiteheads are not part of rosacea.
About 50% of those with rosacea suffer eye involvement such as conjunctivitis, dry gritty eyes and recurrent styes. Nose enlargement is uncommon but mostly seen in men. It is rarely seen in women.
Common symptoms:
- Facial symptoms, burning and stinging
- Fashion flushing, blushing evolving to persistent redness
- Inflammatory papules, pimples
- Checks are not warm
- Blood vessel lines
- Eye involvement
- Soft tissue skin thickening
The exact cause of rosacea is not known. Since flushing is a common symptom of the condition, some experts believe that there is a vascular cause or that blood vessels are a significant factor in the cause.
Vigorous exercise can cause a rosacea flare-up in some individuals. But that doesn’t mean that people with rosacea can’t exercise. Instead, try exercising in a cool environment for short periods of time. People with rosacea often find that it is best to exercise several times a day for limited amounts of time, rather than to conduct an extensive workout at one time. It is vital to remain well hydrated during exercise. Keep the water bottle handy at all times. Because exercise is so important to our overall health, it is important that people with rosacea continue to exercise, but in a manner that is least offensive to their skin. The benefits of exercise include relaxation and better sleep, both of which are essential for a healthy body and healthy skin.
Alcohol, especially red wine can cause facial redness in people who have rosacea. Sometimes hot drinks, like coffee, may cause redness to develop.
Certain medications that cause flushing can create a rosacea flare-up. Vasodilating drugs (such as the ones that cause your blood vessels to enlarge) such as ACE-inhibitors and some cholesterol lowering agents aggravate rosacea.
Perfumed cosmetics are troublesome for people with rosacea. You should avoid topical irritants such as scrubs, toners, acetone and alcohol based skin preparations.
The condition tends to be chronic but if it is treated in its early stages there is a good chance for successful control of rosacea. Repeated laser therapy may help reduce the intensity of facial redness in people with rosacea. It is true that roseca can be serious in some people. Aggressive treatment, nevertheless can achieve significant improvement.