Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin disorder that produces flushing and small pus-filled lumps on the face. It is often confused with acne or other skin conditions. Rosacea flare-ups are irregular, and it is not contagious. Regular consumption of dairy products, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and beverages might elevate the symptoms

1. Blushing or Flushing of Face.
2. Blood Vessels present in the nose and cheek break and become visible.
3. Pus-filled lumps on the face resemble acne.
4. The skin of the affected area may feel hot and painful.
5. Ocular Rosacea results in dry and swollen eyes, which may cause irritation.
6. Blepharitis is a condition characterised by swelling, redness, and itching in the eyelids.
7. Bloodshot eyes
8. Rosacea thickens the skin on the nose over time, making it appear bulbous.

Secondary Symptoms 

1. Dry appearance of Skin.
2. The appearance of red patches around skin.
3. Facial Swelling 

Rosacea in Dark skin

1. The appearance of darkness in the face
2. Facial discolouration
3. Swollen dry patches
4. Hardened bumps which are yellow or brown in colour around the mouth or eyes
5. Breakouts on the face that do not clear with treatment
6. On Dark skin, the flushing or blushing of Rosacea might be difficult to see.

1. Family History 
2. Damaged Blood Vessels
3. Demodex folliculorum, a type of skin mite that lives on the skin and is not harmful. In some people these mites cause irritation on skin.
4. A type of bacteria called Helicobacter.pylori may increase the digestive hormone called gastrin which may cause skin to look flushed.
5. Medications like steroids and antihypertensive drugs.
6. Overactive immune system.

Trigger factors 

1. Cosmetics, skin and hair care products
2. Sunlight
3. Flare-ups are triggered by spicy food, alcohol, stress, heat, sunlight etc.

Risk factors 

1. Females are more affected than males.
2. Sensitive skin to sunlight.
3. Smoking.
4. Above 50 years of age.
5. Extreme temperature.
6. Medical conditions like Hypertension.

Rosacea is diagnosed by general physical examination and by medical history. There is no specific lab investigation to diagnose Rosacea.

1. By examining the skin for redness, bumps etc, asking about symptoms, and triggers, noticing the presence of large blood vessels Rosacea is diagnosed.
2. By taking the medical history and identifying the condition causing Rosacea.

Depending upon symptoms treatment for Rosacea is decided. The following are the types of treatment:

1. Medications
2. Surgeries

Medications: Medicines prescribed by Doctors are as follows:

1. Antibiotics like Metronidazole and Doxycycline kill bacteria present on the skin by decreasing redness and inflammation.
2. A gel named Azelaic acid is used to decrease bumps, inflammation and swelling.
3. Brimonidine is a gel that is used to tighten blood vessels in the skin.
4. Isotretinoin is an acne drug that clears bumps on the skin.

Surgeries: The surgeries for Rosacea include:

1. Dermabrasion: In severe cases of Rosacea bulbous nose is seen which can be treated by Dermabrasion. At the time of healing a new smooth layer of skin replaces the surface of skin that is broken.
2. Electrosurgery: In this procedure, electricity is applied through a tiny needle electrode to coagulate the blood vessels. This surgery is used to treat small red blood vessels.
3. Laser Therapy:  This procedure is performed to treat small blood vessels, bumps,pimples and redness. The most typical application of a pulse-dye laser is to treat small blood vessels that are visible.
4. CO 2 Laser and Erbium YAG Laser: These Lasers are used to treat bulbous nose by removing excess tissue.

Risks if Rosacea is not treated in time includes:

1. Conjunctivitis: Inflammation or Infection in the membrane of the eye is Conjunctivitis.
2. Rhinophyma:The nose's skin becomes extremely reddish, puffy, and pulpy.
3. If Rosacea is not treated, it can lead to red solid lumps and pus-filled pimples.