What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and bumps on your face. Sometimes the condition flares, causing worsening symptoms for several weeks to several months.
Additional symptoms of rosacea include:
- Redness or pain in the eye
- Bumps or broken blood vessels on the eyelids
- A burning or stinging sensation
- Dry skin patches
What are the risk factors for rosacea?
Doctors aren’t sure what causes rosacea, but people with rosacea seem to have one or more risk factors in common, including:
- Genetic factors
- Blood vessel dysfunction
- Excess skin mites
- Gut bacteria imbalance
- Smoking habit
Women between 30-50 with light hair and skin seem to be the most susceptible to rosacea.
How can I take care of my rosacea at home?
Although you may need medical intervention, you can do a lot at home to prevent flare-ups and relieve symptoms. For starters, you can keep track of your food and activities to see if you can determine your triggers. Factors like sun exposure, stress, exercise, and alcohol may increase your symptoms.
Once you identify your triggers, try to avoid them:
- If stress turns your face red, get into the habit of practicing relaxation techniques
- If the sun affects your skin, wear sunscreen and try to avoid sunlight
- If exercise worsens your symptoms, develop a suitable exercise plan
What are my treatment options for rosacea?
While there isn’t a cure for rosacea, there are many treatments available to help control your symptoms. These range from gels that tighten blood vessels to antibiotics that kill bacteria to acne medications that clear away the bumps.
Other non-drug treatments for rosacea are also available including:
- Laser treatments to shrink blood vessels
- Dermabrasion to remove the top layer of skin
- Electrocautery to zap blood vessels
See Dr. Glover at the first sign of a flare-up before the swelling and redness become permanent. Call Outer Banks Dermatology or use the online scheduler to make an appointment.
