Rosacea 101: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Dermatology is an ever-changing field that looks into our hair, nails, and skin, and the diseases that can plague them. Dermatologists help us understand our skin, from minor acne flare-ups during puberty to major skin conditions like eczema. How do you know when you just have a breakout that will go away on its own, or if your skin blemishes are more severe than that? Acne is a very common skin condition that the majority of people suffer from at some point in their lives. But how can you tell if it might be more than that? Here's the basic information you need to know about rosacea to determine if you may be one of many people who suffer from it.

What Is Rosacea? WebMD tells us that rosacea is a skin disorder that "causes redness on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Some people get little bumps and pimples on the red parts of their faces. Rosacea can also cause burning and soreness in your eyes." Some people have naturally rosy cheeks, but rosacea looks much different from that. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) estimates that around 16 million Americans show signs of rosacea. There are also millions more on top of that that might be in a temporary remission from their symptoms.

Symptoms Some of the common symptoms of rosacea are having red, dry, and sensitive skin. Small bumps and acne-like pimples are also common. Coarse, thick, and bumping skin is seen in many patients that have been diagnosed with rosacea. This disorder can also affect the patients' eyes, making them dry, red, and irritated.

Causes Those in the field of dermatology have yet to pinpoint what exactly causes rosacea. Something is irritating the skin, but what? It's not from alcohol consumption, as it was thought in the past. Something causes the blood vessels in the face to expand, and these things are called triggers. WebMD tells us that some common triggers are "exercise, sun and wind exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot baths."

Treament Although there is no cure, rosacea treatment is available. Pills and creams are the most common forms of treatment that are administered to control symptoms of rosacea. The way the symptoms display themselves on the skin and their severity will determine what type of treatment will work best. If you think you might be suffering from rosacea after reading this guide, go consult a dermatologist today!