Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small red pus-filled bumps. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne or eczema. Rosacea can affect anyone, but it is most common in middle-aged women who have light skin.
Symptoms
- Facial redness – rosacea usually causes redness in the central part of the face. Small blood vessels on nose and cheeks swell and become visible.
- Swollen red bumps- people with rosacea may develop pimples on their face that resembles acne. These bumps may contain pus. Skin may feel hot and tender.
- Eye problems – some people experience dry, irritated, swollen eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. It may precede the skin symptoms.
- Enlarged nose overtime – rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear bulbus. This is called rhinophyma, more common in men.
Causes
Causes of rosacea are due to the sensitivity to excrement of tiny skin mites. It could be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. It is not caused by poor hygiene.
Triggers
- hot drinks
- red wine and other alcoholic beverages
- temperature
- extreme sunlight/wind conditions
- exercise
- Pharmaceuticals that dilate blood vessels including some blood pressure medication
- cosmetic products
- some dairy
Anyone can develop rosacea. You may more likely develop it if you are female; have light skin that has been damaged by the sun; are over the age of 30; smoke; have a family history of rosacea.
Complications
Over time, the oil glands in your nose and cheeks become enlarged, resulting in a buildup of tissue (rhinophyma) on the area around your nose. This condition is more common in men and develops over a period of years.
Treatment
The following treatments may be used to treat rosacea individually or in combination:
- topical medications
- oral antibiotics
- steroid creams or steroid eyedrops
- laser treatment
Dr. Bergqvist has an arsenal of laser treatments, such as the Candela Perfect VB beam laser, which uses a pulsed dye laser that can shrink the red vessels, (not a pulsed light!) The procedure may cause temporary redness and is tolerated without the need for any anesthetics.