Tips for Controlling Your Acne Rosacea
By Bill Wilson
Thought you finally outgrew the days of bad skin and
pimples? Well, think again! Many adults suffer from acne in their
late twenties and thirties, even those that had never experienced
the problem in adolescence. There are generally two types of adult
acne - the more common form called Acne Vulgaris, and the more rare
form called Acne Rosacea.
It is estimated that up to 85% of the American population
between the ages of 12 to 24 years of age have suffered from some
form of Acne Vulgaris. However, only about 5% of the population, or
13 million people, experience the aggravation and "rosy"
cheeks of Acne Rosacea.
Acne Rosacea is a skin condition that is generally
restricted to the face and eyes. It generally affects people between
the ages of 30 to 60 years old. The condition is characterized by
pimples, redness, and broken blood vessels.
At the onset, a person's cheeks may tend to blush
or flush very easily. However, as the rosacea develops further, redness
will be noticeable around the nose area, and then extend over the
remainder of the face. An extreme case might experience enlarged oil
glands in the nose that can lead to an enlarged and bulbous red nose.
For those suffering from this condition, almost 50%
will have issues extending to their eyes. Eye symptoms may include
burning and tearing, redness, inflamed eyelids, or a scratchy feeling
of something in the eyes.
Acne Rosacea is not medically dangerous, but is also
incurable. The good news is that it can be controlled with treatment.
The goal of the treatments is to minimize the symptoms and reduce
sensitivity of the skin and eyes.
The first step in determining a treatment regimen
is to identify possible "triggers", which will be different
for each individual. Acne Rosacea generally flares-up when an affected
person is exposed to certain environmental or dietary conditions.
Some common "triggers" may include hot baths, exercise,
wind, cold weather, and certain skin products. This is by no means
a comprehensive list.
The key to relief is to identify those conditions
which tend to aggravate your Rosacea. Easier said then done, you say?
Not really.
The National Rosacea Society recommends that you maintain
a symptom diary. The purpose of your diary is to record what was eaten
or the conditions immediately prior to the onset of a Rosacea flare-up.
Over a few weeks time, you should start to see a pattern form that
will give you insight into your own "triggers". Of course,
once you have these "triggers" identified, you can avoid
these conditions by modifying your lifestyle or eating habits.
Other factors can also contribute to the exacerbation
of Rosacea and should be avoided if at all possible. These factors
include: avoiding direct sunlight, reducing stress, avoiding long
workouts or exertion in hot weather, and limiting spicy foods and
hot beverages.
Besides avoiding known "triggers", symptoms
can be treated with oral or topical antibiotics. Other medications
similar to vitamin A are utilized in more extreme cases and are only
available through your dermatologist. Also, laser surgery is available
as a treatment alternative for reducing enlarged tissue on the nose
and improving overall physical appearance.
Bill Wilson is a medical writer focusing on treatment
alternatives for acne skin disorders, including acne rosacea. For
more info on acne rosacea cures visit http://www.acne-rosacea-relief.com
