What Is Rosacea?

What Is Rosacea (rose-ay-sha)? Despite the fact that over 14 million adults suffer from rosacea, I was often asked...

"what is rosacea, what are the common causes of rosacea and how do I treat it?"

Rosacea skin condition is a long term skin disease that causes redness, flushing, swelling, pimples and visible blood vessels on the face – especially the cheeks, chin, and nose.

Because rosacea causes severe redness, it often looks like a bad sunburn or gets labeled as adult acne.

Sometimes, rosacea can be found on the scalp, ears, neck, chest, back. Some people even get rosacea in the eyes -- called ocular rosacea.

And in more serious conditions it’s Keratitis which is a term used to describe a range of eye conditions where there is infection or inflammation of the cornea.

This can cause severe eye pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. 

Rosacea Awareness - What Is Rosacea

According to the National Rosacea Society, rosacea affects 14 million adults between the ages of 30 and 50.

However, according to a Gallup Poll survey, a whopping 78% of adults still don't know what rosacea is and often confuse it acne symptoms.

Rosacea usually affects adults with light skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. This skin disease is often hereditary mostly affecting women -- who may experience an increase in flushing during menopause.

While men don’t get rosacea as often as women, when they do get it’s usually a more severe form.

What Is Rosacea and What are The Common Causes of Rosacea

In addition to being asked what is rosacea -- the second most frequent question is what are the causes of rosacea?

Unfortunately, the causes of rosacea are not exactly known. It is suspected that certain foods can affect or trigger or aggravate rosacea symptoms: Stress, alcohol, spicy foods, too much chocolate and greasy foods.

Researchers have been investigating why these certain foods cause these triggered reactions in certain only certain people.

Some researchers suspect that food allergies may play a role in this….but more research needs to be done to know for sure.

What Is Rosacea - Symptoms And Treatments For Rosacea

What is rosacea and what are the symptoms/treatments? The symptoms and treatments for rosacea will vary from person to depending on what part of the body is effected and how severe the disease is.

However, the most common symptoms include:

• Flushing – Frequent flushing and redness (which can be confused with general shy blushing) is usually the first symptom in the early stages and it can come and go…..which is why some people may not even know that have it.
• Constant Flushing and Redness - This is probably the most common rosacea symptom which looks like a bad sunburn that won’t go away. Using harsh cosmetics facial cleansers and creams can further aggravate the skin.
• Pimples, blemishes, and bumps - While these pimples, bumps, and solid pus-filled pustules may look like acne without the blackhead and some people experience a stinging or burning irritation. This condition is often referred to as acne rosacea.
• Visible Blood Vessels - This symptom usually shows up during the more severe stages of rosacea. During this stage the red lines (telangiectasia) in the face become more prominent due to enlarged blood vessels –usually show up on the nose and cheeks.

Other not so common symptoms include:

• Ocular Rosacea – Eye irritation. The eyes get irritated, water, and bloodshot. In addition, the eyelids often swell up and turn red. Styes are also common during these rosacea symptoms.
• Stinging or Burning - The face begins to feel tight, dry, stings
• Swelling - Swelling of the face (called edema) is a common rosacea symptom for many people.
• Thickening of The Skin - This condition usually affects the nose and causes the skin to thicken and enlarge. Just think of the actor/comedian W.C. Fields.

What Is Rosacea - Treatments For Rosacea

Rosacea medicines like Erythomycine, Accutane, Metronidazole and others only provide help provide temporary reduction in the symptoms – but do not address the underlying causes of rosacea.

In addition, long term use of these drugs often carry uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous, side effects….especially effecting the liver.

As a health advisor, I always believe it’s best to use alternative treatments for rosacea. Even if you’re taking rosacea medication -- however, you should check with your doctor first before trying another remedy.

For best results, it's important to use facial cleansers and moisturizers that are specifically designed for rosacea symptoms.

Using specific products for your complexion type can help control those embarrassing flare-ups and blotchiness.

While this can make you feel better, it can also help in the long term because rosacea symptoms - if not brought under control - can damages your skin.

Remember you want the skin to heal you need to use gentle effective treatments -- not harsh chemicals and toxic medications that cause damage to the skin and the liver.

Starting a natural treatment for rosacea causes now -- will eliminate the need for toxic and expensive treatments later.

For a complete natural and effective rosacea solution check out this treatment therapy.

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