Rosacea: drugs, symptoms, causes etc. & bull; hello healthy

Rosacea definition

Rosacea is a skin disease characterized by inflammation in the form of a reddish rash on the face. A reddish rash usually appears on the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead.

Over time, the skin will get redder and the blood vessels will become more visible. Sometimes, the face is also filled with small, red, pus-filled bumps. However, rash caused by rosacea is different from acne or an allergic reaction.

Rosacea cannot be cured, but it is a type of skin disease that is not contagious. Proper treatment helps control and reduce signs and symptoms.

How common is rosacea?

Rosacea can happen to anyone. However, this condition is more common in middle-aged women and white people.

People who have a Caucasian race are more at risk of suffering from this skin disease. However, the risk of this disease can be lowered by reducing the things that can trigger its appearance.

Talk to your doctor for more information.

Rosacea signs and symptoms

The typical symptom of this disease is a reddish skin rash on the face that doesn't go away, especially in the middle. True, the redness may go away and come back, but this is often the first symptom.

Unlike other skin problems, redness of the skin usually doesn't go away after days or weeks. It could be that this redness is getting worse.

In addition, other signs can appear in different forms depending on the type of rosacea you have. Following are the symptoms according to the type of disease.

Erythematotelangiectatic

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is characterized by the appearance of small blood vessels on the face. Other symptoms include:

• swollen skin,
• the skin becomes more sensitive, feels sore and burns,
• dry, rough, or scaly skin, as well
• can blush more easily than normal skin.

Papulopustular

The main characteristic of papulopustular rosacea is the appearance of red pimple-like spots. Other signs are:

• pimples that come and go,
• oily skin,
• skin becomes more sensitive,
• feels sore and like burning,
• visible blood vessels on the face, as well
• the appearance of a raised, plaque-like patch of skin.

Phymatous

Phymatous rosacea is quite rare. Usually people who experience phymatous rosacea often have symptoms similar to other types of rosacea. Other signs include:

• uneven skin type texture,
• thickening of the skin, especially on the nose (rhinophima) as well as the chin, forehead, and ears,
• visible blood vessels,
• pores appear large, as well
• oily skin.

Ocular

Sometimes rosacea can also attack the eyes or it is called ocular rosacea. Symptoms can attack one eye or even both at once. The symptoms are:

• red and watery eyes,
• often feels like sand in the eyes,
• burning or sore eyes,
• dry and itchy eyes,
• light sensitive eyes,
• blurred vision or not as good as before,
• visible broken blood vessels in the eyelids, as well
• the appearance of a cyst on the eyelid.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult a doctor

When to see a doctor for rosacea?

If you have signs like those mentioned, consult a dermatologist. Especially if the skin experiences redness that doesn't go away.

Early diagnosis helps prevent disease severity and control the condition.

Causes and risk factors for rosacea

What causes rosacea?

Reporting from the American Academy of Dermatology, it is still not certain what causes rosacea. However, below are some things that are strongly suspected to increase your risk of this skin disease.

Family history

Rosacea is a disease that runs in families. Many people get this disease because they have family members with rosacea. Therefore, genetic factors are strongly suspected to play a role in causing rosacea.

Bacteria Helicobacer pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria found in the intestines to stimulate bradykinin production. Bradykinin is a small polypeptide that is thought to cause blood vessels to dilate.

Experts suggest that these bacteria may contribute to developing rosacea.

Microscopic mites

Demodex folliculorum are microscopic mites that live on human skin and usually do not cause problems.

However, people with rosacea have a much higher number of mites than others.

However, it is not certain whether the mites cause rosacea or if it is this disease that triggers mite numbers.

Body protein

Cathelicidin is a protein in the body that normally protects the skin from infection. Unfortunately, cathelicidin can also cause redness and swelling.

How the body processes this protein can determine whether a person can get rosacea or not.

What increases the risk of getting rosacea?

Here are various things that can increase a person's risk for this skin disease.

• Gender, women are more at risk than men
• Fair skin
• 30-60 years old
• Have a family history of rosacea

This disease can also be aggravated by certain things and substances. Generally rosacea can appear when you do or consume something that increases blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Various factors that can trigger or worsen rosacea include:

• hot food or drink,
• spicy food,
• alcohol,
• extreme temperatures,
• sunshine or wind,
• emotions (stress, anxiety, anger, shame),
• exercise is too hard,
• cosmetics,
• hot baths or saunas, as well
• drugs that dilate blood vessels.

Diagnosis and treatment

What are the usual tests to diagnose rosacea?

There is no specific test that is done to diagnose this skin disease. Usually doctors only do a physical examination to make sure.

The doctor will see the condition of your skin and eyes from the appearance of the symptoms shown. Before giving a diagnosis, the doctor will also ask you and your family's medical history.

If you are positive for rosacea, your doctor will usually begin to provide treatment options. One thing to keep in mind, medication will not cure completely but it can help:

• reduce the signs and symptoms that are felt,
• relieves pain and various other discomforts, as well
• prevent the condition from getting worse.

What are the treatment options for rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin disease that requires a combination of treatments. Here are various treatment options for rosacea.

Medicines to reduce redness

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, the drug brimonidine (Mirvaso) is effective in reducing redness. This drug serves to constrict blood vessels.

Brimonidine is available in gel form. You can usually see results within 12 hours of application. This medication is temporary so it needs to be used regularly.

In addition, azelaic acid and metronidazole are among the drugs shown to reduce redness and acne in mild rosacea.

Drinking antibiotics

Drinking antibiotics are actually drugs used to kill bacteria in the body. But in rosacea, this drug can also help reduce inflammation.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that can be taken by mouth for moderate to severe rosacea. Drinking drugs can usually give faster results than topicals.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative drug that works by inhibiting the production of oil glands. This drug is often used if the disease has not been successfully treated with other therapies.

Your doctor will likely recommend isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis). This medication is strong because it can help clear rosacea lesions such as acne.

However, do not take this medication during pregnancy as it can cause serious birth defects.

Blephamide

These steroid eye drops are sometimes prescribed for patients with ocular rosacea. Usually the eye drops need to be used every day for 3 days to 1 week as directed by your doctor.

Laser

The laser helps shrink and conceal visible blood vessels on the face. Usually the type of laser used is intense pulsed light (IPL care).

This procedure has side effects that can cause bruising, crusting, swelling, and pain when pressed.

These side effects usually go away within a few weeks. However, if you have an infection the doctor will provide additional drugs such as antibiotics.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is usually done for thickened skin (rhinofima). If the nose is enlarged and the cheeks are swollen with a thick lump, the doctor will recommend plastic surgery.

This operation aims to remove excess tissue and restore the nose to a near normal shape.

Home remedies

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with rosacea:

Use sunscreen

The facial skin of people with this condition will become more sensitive to the sun. To protect it, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Apply it every two hours or when you feel the product wear off due to excessive sweating activities.

Also use a hat to avoid direct sun exposure on the face. Try to limit yourself from excess sun exposure. Find some shade if you have to do outdoor activities.

Take care of the skin gently

Try not to touch or scrub your face too hard. The reason is, this can irritate the skin and create a wound that becomes an entrance for infection.

Conversely, treat facial skin by gently massaging your face when washing your face or using topical medications. Gentle massage can help reduce swelling and inflammation.

Also use a facial cleanser with mild ingredients. Avoid facial care products that contain alcohol,scrub, or other irritant.

Use a moisturizer

This disease sometimes makes the skin very dry. For that, you must apply moisturizer so that the skin does not get drier and feels sore or sore.

Choose a moisturizing product with a mild formulation. If you are confused, ask your doctor if there are recommendations for a product that is safe for you.

Before applying moisturizer, use the cream your doctor gave you first. After the cream dries, then use a moisturizer. This is done so that the cream drug can directly penetrate the skin and work optimally.

Use non-comedogenic products

In choosing moisturizer, face wash, and other facial care products, choose those that are labeled non-comedogenic.

This means that this product will not clog oil and sweat glands that can lead to acne breakouts.

Limit alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic drinks can improve blood circulation in the face. In people with rosacea, this of course should be avoided as it can make facial redness worse.

Instead, limit consumption per day or even completely avoid it.

Avoid spicy foods

Spicy foods are one of the triggers for rosacea. For that, avoid this type of food so that the redness on the face does not get worse.

Do not let, for the sake of satisfying your tongue, sacrifice your overall health condition.

Don't use the cream carelessly

Never use over-the-counter creams to treat rosacea. The reason is, over-the-counter creams that are sold in the market especially those containing steroids can worsen symptoms if used for a long time.

Always consult a doctor first before using certain facial care products.

Knowing the things that can trigger the emergence of this disease

As already mentioned, this disease can come because it is triggered by a certain thing or food. In each person, the trigger factors can be different.

For that, you have to find yourself about anything that can make this disease worse.

To make it easier, make a note of all the details you do every day, from activities to everything you consume. From these notes, you can later recall and review triggers that need to be avoided.

Rosacea is a disease that can cause low self-esteem. For that, don't hesitate to find a community or group of people with rosacea so that you don't feel like you're struggling alone.

If you have any questions, consult a dermatologist for the best solution to your problem.