What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that can cause redness, visible blood vessels, bumps or pimples appearing in a red area, swollen, bumpy or excessive tissue, and watery, bloodshot eyes. The redness typically appears in the central area of the face (eyes, cheeks and nose) but can spread all over the face and even into the ears, chest and back. The symptoms may show up for a period of weeks to months, then disappear, only to flare up again. The appearance of Rosacea sometimes can be mistaken as pimples or an allergic reaction because of how it looks.
There are four types of Rosacea,
characterized based on symptoms experienced:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Facial redness – often described as flushing, redness, and visible blood vessels.
Papulopustular rosacea: Bumps and pimples – appearance of this subtype is constant or persistent redness, and bumps or pimples forming.
Phymatous rosacea: Enlargement of the nose – symptoms of this subtype is the thickening of the skin and enlargement of the nose.
Ocular rosacea: Eye Irritation – the last subtype is seen around the eye, and symptoms include dry eyes, excessive tearing, burning eyes, swollen eyelids, vision lost, recurrence of sties, and corneal damage.
Anyone can experience Rosacea, and there is evidence that Rosacea can be hereditary. Fair-skinned women over the age of 30 experience Rosacea the most. Even though more women tend to suffer from Rosacea than men, the condition tends to be more severe in men.
The cause of Rosacea is unclear and there is no way to permanently cure Rosacea. However, there are ways to treat Rosacea symptoms and to reduce occurrences.
Proper skin care is one way that can help reduce redness and keep the inflammation down. Cleaning your face with gentle non-abrasive cleanser, and using lukewarm water will reduce the risk of a flare-up. Avoid using rough washcloths and always stick with using soft, thick, cotton towels.
Chemical free, and non-irritating skin care products like creams and serums are advised to protect the skin and keep it healthy. Always use formulations designed for sensitive skin, like our sensitive skin facial cream. Products that are designed for sensitive skin have less irritants and diminish the risk of causing redness.
If you experience Rosacea, it is always advised to test a skin care product before heavily using it. Reading ingredients and avoiding known irritants such as fragrances, alcohol, peppermint, etc. will also help reduce the chance of an episode. Although there is no known cure for Rosacea, being diligent, cautious, informed, and having a proper skin care routine can reduce inflammation, redness and keep your skin healthy and free of signs of Rosacea.
Do you suffer from Rosacea and use our products? Let us know what products you use and how it is working for you in the comments below! We always love to hear customer feedback.