Rosacea refers to a chronic skin disorder characterized by visible blood vessels, which cause the facial skin to appear red. Typically, it affects your cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. Although this condition may affect any one, middle-aged women with fair skins are more vulnerable than any other demographic. The condition has no known cure. However, there are treatments that focus on preventing the condition from getting worse by relieving its signs and symptoms.
The condition can be categorized into 4 subtypes. Each of these subtypes is associated with unique symptoms. You can also develop more than one type at the same time. Typically, the signs and symptoms of rosacea appear in cycles. They may appear for weeks or months, disappear, and then appear again. The symptoms may result in lack of confidence in social settings or in the workplace. It is advisable for patients to seek treatment when flare-ups persist to restore your facial look. Treatment is also important in preventing the signs and symptoms from getting worse.
The symptoms of rosacea include:
1. Skin Dryness
Dry skin resulting from this disorder is usually accompanied with burning, stinging, and itching sensations, which cause a feeling of discomfort among the sufferers.
Typically, it is a sign of subtype one. If you have rosacea, you may experience skin dryness despite having an oily skin. Dry skin can be prevented by use of skin care products and lifestyle changes. However, since your skin may be sensitive to some products, it is advisable to identify skin-care products that work well for your skin. According to Dr. Doris, a dermatology expert at New York University, old age and cold weather can make dry skin caused by rosacea to become worse. The doctor also asserts that proper skin care and medical therapy can be helpful in relieving this skin dryness. It is important to understand that not every dry skin results from rosacea. It can be a symptom of other conditions, including dehydration due to alcoholism. Hence, seeking medical help when you experience persistent dry skin or when it fails to respond to home remedies is crucial in determining the exact cause of dryness on your skin.
2. Oily Skin
While many patients of rosacea experience skin dryness, others develop an oily skin. An oily skin is a symptom of subtype two, and it is usually accompanied with other symptoms, including raised skin patches, sensitive skin, and excessive skin redness. Home remedies that can be used to relieve oily skins include regular washing with a gentle soap, harsh detergents and soaps.
3. Puffy Eyes
Puffy eyes refer to swollen eyes due to fluid retention. Typically, eye puffiness is a symptom of subtype four. It may occur with other symptoms including gritty eyes, tearing or watery eyes, eye cysts, broken eyelid blood vessels, sensitivity to light, burning sensation in the eyes, and poor vision.
Home remedies you can apply to relieve eye puffiness include ice compresses and cold water splashes. Eating foods such as bananas and other potassium-rich foods also helps to rid your eyes of excess fluid.
Since puffy eyes may also result from other conditions, including eye trauma, stress, and dehydration, you need to seek medical treatment when the symptom persists or fails to respond to your home remedies.
4. Eye Dryness
Eye dryness is an uncomfortable condition in which your tear glands lose their ability to produce adequate tears needed for proper eye lubrication. A common symptom among persons with subtype four, eye dryness may be accompanied with other symptoms, including irritation and stinging sensation. Conditions such as windy weather, dry air, and smoky air may worsen this symptom.
You need to seek medical treatment when you experience persistent eye dryness to prevent possible complications, including vision problems and corneal surface abrasion. You can also relieve dry eyes by using a humidifier to add more moisture to the air in your home. The use of items such as sunglasses to protect your eyes from dry air and wind is also helpful.
5. Itching
Typically, rosacea is not an itchy condition. However, rosacea itch results from a dry skin, skin-care products, topical medications, and folliculitis, which is an inflammatory condition that affects the hair follicles. Folliculitis is common among rosacea patients.
The treatment of itching involves addressing the underlying cause of the symptom. The following are the remedies used to relieve this symptom including anti-itch skin care products and medications.
Although scratching your itchy skin can result in immediate relief, it can only worsen this symptom. Hence, scratching your skin is discouraged.
6. Red Face
Red face is one of the initial symptoms of rosacea, and it may resemble sunburn. Typically, patients experience redness on the skin of their nose, chin, cheek, and forehead. In rare cases, redness may also appear on the other parts of the body, including the neck, chest, ears, and scalp.
The redness usually appears and goes after a short while. However, with time, this symptom worsens, causing visible blood vessels under your skin. Flare-ups of redness also tend to last longer as rosacea develops over time. Although redness may come and go, you need to seek medical treatment when you experience repeated episodes of this symptom to prevent it from getting worse.
7. Rashes That Look Like Acne
You are likely to experience rashes that look like acne on your facial skin if you have subtype two. The rashes occur in the form of small and bumpy red spots known as papules. They may also appear in the form of small cysts. Although the rashes may come and disappear after a short while without treatment, treatments may be necessary for the rashes to disappear among some patients.
Since skin rashes may be caused by various other conditions, seeking treatments when the rashes persist can be helpful in addressing the underlying cause and preventing any further development of this rosacea.
8. Swollen Blood Vessels in Skin
Swollen blood vessels in skin occur when rosacea causes increased pressure in the venules of your face. The pressure causes the veins under the skin to enlarge and become visible. This is called telangectasia. The veins appear in the form of fine and web-like lines under your skin. Typically, swollen blood vessels develop slowly and may become worse when you use abrasive soap and other skin-care products capable of causing skin irritation. If they are not treated, the lines may cause itching and pain.
Swollen veins may also result from other conditions, including dermatomyositis, alcoholism, pregnancy, and long-term use of corticosteroids. Seek medical treatment when you develop swollen blood vessels that do not go away.
