Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that primarily affects the face and sometimes the eyes. It is identified by facial flushing, dilated blood vessels that result in blotchy red areas with papules and pustules. The redness may come and go but eventually can become persistent if blood vessels under the skin become dilated which is known as telangiectasia. Skin tissue may swell and thicken which can be painful, itchy and sensitive to touch.
Rosacea inflammation can resemble acne however it is more chronic and blackheads and whiteheads are hardly ever seen. Rosacea is a common skin condition affecting an estimated 5% of adults worldwide. Rosacea is seen in adults from the age of 30 to 60 years and with age the condition can become more common. In saying this it can show up at any age and sometimes in children. Rosacea most of the time starts with regular flushing of the face, especially the nose and cheeks. The flushing is coming from inflamed blood vessels under the skin. The red butterfly like mask can serve as a flag for attention. Inflammation may spread across the face and tiny bumps known as papules and pustules may appear. Afterwards swelling of the nose may appear. On the other-hand it can take years from the start of this condition prior to later stages developing. Rosacea can also cause frequent burning and grittiness in the eyes and/or inflamed and swollen eyelids. In more serious cases it can affect vision. The cause of rosacea is not yet known however there are various factors known to trigger the condition including alcohol consumption, hot beverages like coffee and tea, spicy foods, sunlight exposure, humid climates, some skincare products and make up consisting of alcohol. Stress, nutritional deficiencies and infections are also known triggers of the condition. What triggers one person’s rosacea may be different to another person’s rosacea. In rare cases Rosacea can affect the skin in other parts of the body as well as the face such as the chest. Rosacea is not life-threatening however it is chronic and can be quite stressful affecting mental health. With the absence of appropriate care, rosacea can develop into quite a disfiguring condition. Without the cause of rosacea being found there is no known cure. Oral antibiotics and topical anti-parasitic creams are usually prescribed in an attempt to control the inflammation. As with all drugs they have side effects particularly with long-term use. By the same token, if you cease taking the antibiotics the condition may reappear. As a Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist who has first-hand experience with suffering from rosacea and treating it successfully, I have developed the “Tame Your Rosacea” Program which involves 6 to 9 months of treatment depending on symptom severity. Taming rosacea involves working on various healing objectives such as identifying and avoiding triggers where possible, reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, reducing exposure to stress, reducing pathogenic load, improving immune system function, balancing intestinal bacteria, improving and supporting healthy digestion, correcting nutritional deficiencies, improving and supporting liver function, improving and supporting adrenal function and balancing hormones. What can be done right know to help tame your rosacea?
If you are or you know someone who has Rosacea, please know that there is help available. Aside from being the protective barrier between us and the environment, our skin shields our internal organs, controls heat, makes vitamin D, controls the absorption of environmental substances and eliminates metabolic waste matter and toxins.
Many of us realise that our skin is the largest organ in our body, however we continue to frequently view skin disorders as a separate issue from the rest of our body. Our skin is one of the most perplexing organs. It is always changing and it consists of various specialised cells and structures. Langerhans cells are generally recognised for being found in our lymph nodes as they act as a first line of defence against threatening pathogens. But they are also present in our skin, which forms part of our adaptive immune system. It is not surprising that we see how our skin drastically changes if we are not taking care of ourselves. Signs of troubled skin consists of:
These signs and symptoms suggest that something internally is going on. Rather than being fed up and frustrated, take these as signs that more attention and self-awareness needs to be made to your overall health and well-being. Regardless of food or environmental allergies/intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, immune dysfunction or elimination imbalances, skin disorders are a warning message that something internally needs to be considered. Skin has the vital role of functioning as the first line of defence against environmental toxins and also shows crucial insights about your internal health. Nicole can help you find out what might be causing or contributing to your skin condition, so that you can help rebalance and return your skin to a better state of health as opposed to just putting up with symptoms. Book an appointment or contact Believe To Achieve Holistic Health for more information. Our skin is actually our first line of defense to protect us from harmful bacteria and viruses!
Regular thorough handwashing and/or hand sanitising is essential to maintain good hygiene, however you may need to moisturise your hands as well, to prevent them from drying out! Dry and irritated skin can possibly damage your skin’s integrity and increase the risk of harmful bacteria and viruses particularly now wintery weather is here! Particularly if you have sensitive skin issues like eczema or psoriasis. Natural hand lotions and salves are ideal! If you wear protective gloves you may want to consider avoiding the use of petroleum or mineral based moisturising products as they can impair the integrity of protective gloves! There are other helpful ways to protect your skin's integrity, to find out more make an appointment with us! |
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November 2023
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