Mate torotiti Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflamed rash that affects the central part of the face. It cannot be cured but there are treatments available to help control it.
What causes rosacea
It is not known for certain what causes rosacea but it may be caused by an inflammatory immune response.
It is more common in people with fair skin.
Symptoms of rosacea
The severity of rosacea can range from red, blotchy skin in mild cases to lumpy, thickened skin in long-term cases.
The most common symptoms are:
- redness or blushing across your nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, neck and chest
- redness may come and go to start with but may become permanent over time
- redness that may be harder to see on dark skin
- tiny, broken blood vessels under the skin
- small bumps that may contain fluid (papules and pustules).
Less common symptoms of rosacea include:
- dry skin
- swelling, crusting and redness of the eyes
- thickening of the skin on the face, especially the nose
- burning or stinging skin.
Diagnosing rosacea
Your healthcare provider can diagnose rosacea based on your symptoms and appearance.
Treating rosacea
Rosacea is a long-term condition that cannot be cured. But there are options to try to control the symptoms. These include:
- prescription creams including brimonidine for flushing
Brimonidine — DermNet (external link) - topical antibiotics for lumps
- long courses of antibiotics by mouth have an anti-inflammatory effect and can used for more severe rosacea
- other specialised treatments such as light therapy are available for resistant rosacea — these are available through a specialist skin doctor (dermatologist).
Self care for rosacea
Keep a symptom diary to find things that make your rash worse so you can avoid them. Common triggers include:
- sun exposure
- hot or cold temperatures
- spicy food
- alcohol
- hot drinks.
Be gentle with your skin and make sure you:
- moisturise often using fragrance-free products
- use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 every day — physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium oxide may suit your skin better
- test skin care products and makeup before applying them to your face
- avoid rubbing, scrubbing, massaging or exfoliating skin with rosacea
- avoid steroid creams such as hydrocortisone, as they can make rosacea worse.