Understand What Causes Rosacea and More During Rosacea Awareness Month
“Why is your face red?” is a question you may often hear if you are one of the 16 million Americans that live with Rosacea. Chances are even if you don’t have Rosacea, you have heard of the chronic skin condition. Too often, Rosacea is only thought of as the red face condition, when in actuality, there are many additional characteristics you should be aware of. Since April is Rosacea Awareness Month, what better time is there to learn?
What causes Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes facial redness and in some cases acne-like bumps on the face. There are currently no concrete causes of the condition, but there are several theories including genetics, dilated blood vessels under the facial skin, lifestyle choices, sun damage, or skin irritation. Side effects of rosacea are typically manageable until the individual undergoes a “flare up” causing the redness to occur.
5 Facts about Rosacea you need to know
To help increase awareness, we’ve put together five facts about Rosacea to help you understand symptoms, triggers, and available treatments.
1 There are several known lifestyle triggers.
Everyday choices can cause a flare up in Rosacea patients. Spicy foods, red wine, overexposure to the sun, hot showers, and hot beverages are a few choices to be careful of. A few unknown triggers include exercise and emotions; for example, if you tend to blush during speaking engagements, it can also cause a flare-up.
2 Treatment depends on the type of Rosacea you have.
There is more than one type of rosacea and depending in which you have will determine your choices for treatment.
3 It’s common in fair-skinned individuals.
Anybody can be diagnosed with rosacea no matter gender or skin tone. But it is most often diagnosed in fair skin individuals because the redness is more noticeable than in those with darker complexions.
4 Symptoms get worse if not treated.
Redness will only get worse if you avoid seeing a dermatologist for treatment options. Types of available treatments range from antibiotics, medications to reduce redness, acne prescriptions, dermabrasion, light therapy, and electrosurgery.
5 Symptoms include more than redness and bumps.
While redness and bumps are the most common signs you have Rosacea, there are additional symptoms to be aware of. If you experience swollen blood vessels, thickened skin around the nose, and itchy or dry eyes, you should contact a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.
Rosacea Awareness Month
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) named April as Rosacea Awareness Month 26 years ago to increase awareness of the skin condition. Their goal is to educate as much of the community as possible, so those suffering take the initiative to get help from a doctor. More than 95% of patients diagnosed knew little or nothing about the disease before diagnosis.
If you have experienced signs of rosacea or have concerns about your skin condition, contact the team at Windsor Dermatology to schedule a consultation today. We can review your symptoms and create a treatment plan to best suit your needs.
