Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the central part of the face. It is characterized by persistent redness, the appearance of pustules and nodules, and also hypersensitivity of the skin. The disease is most common in people with fair skin and is more prevalent among women, but in men the disease can be more severe.
Causes and mechanism of development
The exact cause of rosacea is still not fully understood. It is believed that several factors play a role in the development of the disease:
•
Vascular dysfunction
: superficial vessels of the face easily dilate, which leads to redness.
•
Immune system hypersensitivity
: the skin reacts too strongly to external irritants.
•
Microorganisms
: the Demodex folliculorum mite and certain bacteria can contribute to an inflammatory reaction.
•
Genetic predisposition
: the disease is more common in some families.
Main clinical forms
Rosacea manifests in various forms:
•
Erythematotelangiectatic form
– characterized by persistent facial redness and a network of small vessels.
•
Papulopustular form
– pustules and nodules appear on the face, which are often confused with acne.
•
Phymatous form
– the skin thickens, most often in the nose area, leading to rhinophyma.
Aggravating factors
The course of rosacea is characterized by phases of flare-ups and remission. Flare-ups often occur due to the following factors:
• Sun exposure
• Hot or very cold weather
• Stress
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spicy food, hot drinks
• Irritating ingredients in cosmetic products
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of rosacea is carried out mainly on the basis of the clinical picture.
Principles of treatment
Rosacea treatment is individual and depends on the form and severity of the disease.
• Topical treatment: creams or gels with metronidazole, azelaic acid, or ivermectin.
• Systemic treatment: a long course of doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics.
• Laser therapy: useful for reducing vascular networks and redness.
• Surgical intervention: in the case of severe rhinophyma, surgical correction may be applied.
Care and prevention
In addition to medical treatment, proper skin care is of great importance:
• Use gentle, soap-free cleansing products
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 50+
• Avoid aggravating factors
• Moisturize the skin with non-irritating products
Conclusion