Rosacea - All you need to know about this chronic skin condition
Learn more about rosacea, a common skin condition affecting over 3 million Canadians. Discover the causes, symptoms, treatments and preventive measures to better manage your rosacea.
Rosacea: how to manage this chronic skin condition?
Rosacea is a common dermatological condition that affects only the face and manifests itself as redness, visible veins or pimples. Find out more about its causes, symptoms and treatments.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that manifests itself in different forms, each with different symptoms and treatments.
Vascular rosacea or couperose manifests itself as redness on the face accompanied by small blood vessels. This is the most common form of rosacea. Vascular rosacea can be quickly recognized by its precise symptoms:
- Hot flushes that trigger facial redness
- Temporary or permanent redness (erythema or erythosis)
- Inflammation of the skin on contact with any irritant or allergenic substance
- Small red or purplish vessels visible on the skin.
Ocular rosacea affects more than half of all rosacea sufferers. It is sometimes the first precursor of other cutaneous rosacea symptoms. Symptoms of ocular rosacea usually include : :
- Inflammation of the eyelids
- Conjunctiva
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itching
When rosacea affects the eyes, you may feel a foreign body in the air, with sensitivity to light and visible veins on the eyelid margin.
Papulo-pustular rosacea is characterized by the appearance of small red pimples, also known as papules, which may be filled with pus. Often confused with acne due to the presence of red pimples, papulopustular rosacea is often accompanied by tightness, burning sensations and discomfort. It appears in flare-ups exclusively on the face.
Hypertrophic rosacea is a rather rare form of rosacea, mostly affecting men over the age of 50. It is characterized by a bumpy, deformed nose. Symptoms are easy to identify:
- bumpy, red, deformed nose
- thickening of the skin around the redness
Fulminant rosacea is the most severe form of chronic dermatitis, characterized by the sudden appearance of palpulo-pustular lesions. This type of rosacea can appear within 2 or 3 weeks. Most cases occur in women aged 30 to 40. There seems to be a link between fulminant rosacea and hormonal fluctuations.
The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, but several hypotheses suggest that it may be due to an anomaly in the skin's protective barrier or a defect in the immune system.
Genetic factors
Genetic predisposition seems to be one of the causes of rosacea. Indeed, women with fair complexions aged between 30 and 50 are more likely to trigger symptoms associated with rosacea. Certain hereditary factors also increase the risk of developing the disease.
Environmental factors
Certain external environmental factors can contribute to the onset of rosacea episodes:
- Presence of microscopic mites (Demodex)
Demodex folliculorum is a microscopic parasite found in sebaceous glands, playing an important role in rosacea and promoting inflammatory reactions. It is the main cause of papulopustular rosacea and ocular rosacea.
- Sun exposure, heat, cold, wind
Extreme temperatures, temperature variations and exposure to the sun are responsible for aggressions that disrupt the skin's moisture barrier.
Inflammatory factors
Other inflammatory factors can contribute to the development of rosacea, such as taking stimulants or coming into contact with irritating substances.
- Alcohol and spicy products
The abuse of alcohol and spicy products is a major factor in the onset of rosacea and the dilation of blood vessels that cause redness and heat sensations.
- Irritating skin care products
Irritating cosmetics and personal care products are often responsible for the development of rosacea.
How is rosacea diagnosed?
Clinical examination is essential to diagnose rosacea. Doctors base their diagnosis on the appearance of the rash. There are no specific tests to determine the presence of rosacea, but the absence of blackheads can help distinguish rosacea from acne.
Rosacea is a chronic condition that can be alleviated with a variety of treatments. Rosacea cannot be cured, but a number of actions can limit symptoms and soothe feelings of discomfort. Treatment varies according to the stage of the disease and the intensity of symptoms:
Certain drug treatments may be prescribed by the doctor:
- Topical antibiotics
The most commonly used treatment for rosacea is a metronidazole-based antibiotic cream applied to the skin. Applied daily, this antiparasitic and antibacterial cream is prescribed for mild forms of rosacea. When rosacea is associated with eye inflammation, an oral antibiotic such as clindamycin can be taken for 3 months.
- Azelaic acid
Applied to the skin in cream or gel form, azelaic acid helps reduce the number of pustules and diminish redness. It generally takes effect after 4 weeks of application.
- Tretinoin
Topical tretinoin is used to treat acne. This medication is particularly irritating and is available only on prescription. It takes 4 to 8 weeks for the effects of treatment to appear.
In addition to the topical treatments mentioned above, oral treatments can also be prescribed to limit rosacea symptoms:
- Oral antibiotics
Oral use of Doxycycline has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
- Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a prescription medication used to treat severe forms of rosacea and pustules resistant to other treatments.
Light therapy can help relieve rosacea. This technique exposes the skin to different bands of light, allowing the light to penetrate the epidermis. This enables the targeted cells to absorb the energy essential for regeneration.
In the case of vascular rosacea, laser treatment is an option. This is a highly effective in-depth treatment carried out by dermatologists, which coagulates blood vessels to eliminate redness. This treatment should preferably be carried out in winter on fair, untanned skin.
The origin of rosacea remains unknown, but various factors can contribute to the onset of symptoms.
By avoiding the triggers responsible for dilating blood vessels and thinning the skin, you can limit the onset of rosacea and the intensity of symptoms
Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods and large quantities of alcohol Avoid taking corticosteroids Avoid exposure to extreme climatic temperatures and intense heat sources such as hot baths, saunas and hammams Learn to control your emotions and limit stressful situations
Particularly sensitive to prolonged exposure to the sun, rosacea sufferers should use sunscreen on a daily basis and avoid UV exposure wherever possible. Choose an appropriate high SPF 50 sun protection.
Facial skin is particularly thin and sensitive. It's important to keep aggression and friction to a minimum, and to take the following steps:
Use lukewarm water and mild soap to cleanse your face Apply a daily cream to reinforce the skin's moisture barrier, and avoid all products containing aggressive ingredients such as acid or alcohol Avoid using cosmetic products (make-up, make-up remover) that can aggravate inflammation
