We still do not know what is the cause of Rosacea. The disease can be hereditary. As many as 40 percent of those who have Rosacea has a relative with the same condition. Increased blood circulation and sensitive blood vessels contributing to the rash. It was believed earlier that the disease is caused by a mite in the skin called Demodex folliculorum. Recent research has shown that this microbe is not the main cause of the disease - although some still believe it is an aggravating factor. The latest research on Rosacea is a detection of increased levels of cathelicidin and serine proteases (antimicrobial peptides). High levels of these substances leads to inflammation and regeneration of blood vessels.
Who gets Rosacea ?
Rosacea affects both sexes, but are most common among women aged 30-50 years. The incidence is higher among people with light skin type. The disease is rare in dark-skinned .
What are the symptoms of Rosacea?
The common symptoms of Rosacea is recurrent redness of the face and an acne-like rash. Redness is often aggravated by sunlight.Tingling, stinging and uncomfortable sensation of warmth in the skin are also typical. Blushing is a common problem. Have you had Rosacea in many years, the visible blood vessels in the skin, called telangiectasia.
What other symptoms can get?
Older men with Rosacea is particularly prone to enlarged nose, due to abnormal number sebaceous cells, called Rhinophyma. Eye symptoms in the form of eyelid inflammation (Blepharitis), conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) and inflammation of the cornea (Keratitis) may also occur.
Are there different types of Rosacea ?
Rosacea may look different from person to person. We share the disease into four main groups depending on how your skin looks.Treatment will depend on the type you have. The four subgroups can be graded as mild, moderate or severe:
- Type 1: Typical complaints are persistent redness and dilated small blood vessels in the skin extremely in the central parts of the face. The skin is easily irritated and is very sensitive.
- Type 2: Typically persistent redness in the central parts of the face with visible blood vessels, red bumps (papules) and possibly pimples (pustules).
- Type 3: Typically thickening of the skin with large pores. This variant usually affects the nose, cheeks, forehead, ears and eyelids. Thickening of the skin can come alone or together with other symptoms such as redness, bumps, pimples and visible blood vessels.
- Type 4: Typically eyestrain in the form of redness and foreign body sensation eye. The condition may be accompanied by eyelid inflammation, conjunctivitis and inflammation of the cornea (rarely).
Are there any aggravating factors?
Rosacea is often aggravated by external factors. This will vary from person to person. Alcohol, sunlight, hot drinks, mental stress, wind, temperature changes, menstruation, drugs and strong spicy foods are common triggers. Use of cortisone creams may also provide a rash similar to Rosacea as a side effect. Enlarged nose (rhinophyma) have often been associated with high alcohol consumption. This is not the case and many feels socially stigmatized because of this.
How is forecast ?
There is no cure for rosacea, but by effective treatment the prognosis is good. The condition may cease spontaneously after months or years.
References
- Powell FC, Rosacea, N Engl J Med. 2005 February 24; 352 (8): 793-803.
- Pelle MT, Crawford GH, James WD Rosacea: II. Therapy, J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Oct; 51 (4): 499-512; quiz 513-4.
- Gupta AK, Chaudhry MM, Rosacea and its management: an overview, J Eur Acad Dermatol Vene racking. 2005 May; 19 (3): 273-85.
- Sterry W, Paus R, Burgdorf W, Dermatology, Georg Thieme Verlag Kg 2006
- Fyrand O, Skin diseases diagnosis, treatment and care, Gyldendal publishing Norwegian AS 2007
- Rosacea