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. |
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November 2023
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