Facts About Rosacea

Rosacea is a very common skin condition that usually affects people over 30 years of age. It is characterized by redness that appears on your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Sometimes the condition is accompanied by pimples and bumps and it can cause soreness and burning in the eyes.

 

What Causes Rosacea?

While the actual cause of rosacea is not known, experts agree that something is irritating the skin, but it doesn’t appear to be caused by anything like bacteria. It has a tendency to run in families and affects people with fair skin and those who blush easily.

 

While excessive alcohol consumption was once thought to cause this condition, it is now believed that alcohol is not the cause, but that it can exacerbate symptoms in people who already have rosacea. Other common triggers for rosacea include exercise, wind and sun, hot temperatures, spicy foods, stress and hot baths. Large swings in temperatures from hot to cold and cold to hot can also trigger the condition.

 

Treatments for rosacea include:

  • Laser therapy and intense pulsed light may be used to reduce redness from tiny blood vessels
  • Dermabrasion
  • Electrosurgery
  • Topical creams and lotions that contain azelaic acid, brimonidine, or metronidazole
  • Oral antibiotic medications such as doxycycline

 

Using sunscreen regularly, avoiding stress and other potential triggers are excellent methods for limiting rosacea outbreaks. Staying out of the sun and protecting your face between 10am and 4pm is also a good idea.

 

For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for rosacea, always see a trusted board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Juan Vaillant of Old Bridge Dermatology. Dr. Vaillant, who also specializes in anatomic and clinical pathology, has been helping patients for over 30 years with all types of skin, hair, and nail problems such as acne, eczema, skin cancer, dandruff, nail fungus, and hair loss. No matter what type of issue you have, Dr. Vaillant can help! Contact our office in Old Bridge, NJ by calling (732) 679-0222 and schedule an appointment today!