Q: Who Does Rosacea Affect?
A: Rosacea is a chronic disease which afflicts over 16 million North Americans. Rosacea is most commonly found in adults between the ages of 30 and 65 but rosacea has been known to afflict even children. The people who are the most prone to acquiring Rosacea are fair skinned adults and especially women.
Q: What is Rosacea?
A: Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic (meaning long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin. In its beginning stages this common skin disease, which causes subtle redness in the center of the face, may come and go on its own. But, if left untreated, Rosacea may develop into some inflammation, accompanied by skin eruptions, and may gradually become chronic and even permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch. About half of Rosacea sufferers also complain of symptoms with their eyes, also known as Ocular Rosacea.
The Medical Breakdown of Rosacea
Rosacea is caused by the dilation of tiny blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. This causes the skin to break out with blotchy red areas called papules. A papule is a red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus (unless the papule is severe). These papules have three classifications; minor, moderate and severe. A minor Rosacea papule is the size of a small measles lesion. A moderate Rosacea papule is the size of a pencil eraser. A severe papule is the size of a coin and also contains pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps).
Q: What Causes Rosacea?
A: Rosacea is primarily a disorder of the facial blood vessels. Experts from across the world agree that vascular abnormalities are central to all stages and symptoms of Rosacea. To paraphrase: Rosacea inflicted blood vessels undergo changes in function and become hyper-responsive to internal and external stimuli. These changes are ultimately responsible for the progression of all Rosacea symptoms. As with many conditions, there appears to be a genetic propensity to developing Rosacea.
Q: How Does Rosacea Progress?
A: Rosacea normally progresses in the same generalized fashion, frequent dilation of facial blood vessels leads to vascular hyper-responsiveness and structural damage. Rosacea experts talk about Rosacea symptoms appearing in 4 stages. Over time Rosacea can progress from one stage to the next.
Q: What Are The Stages Of Rosacea?
A: Pre-Rosacea: the first cardinal sign of Rosacea: blood vessels dilate to more stimuli, open wider and stay open for longer periods of time compared to normal persons. No visible damage can normally be seen. Mild Rosacea: begins when the facial redness induced by flushing persists for an abnormal length of time - usually 1/2 an hour or more after a trigger. Those who have frequent pre-Rosacea flushing are highly susceptible to progressing to mild Rosacea. Some of the common triggers for a facial flush are heat, cold, emotions, exercise, topical irritants and allergic reactions. Moderate Rosacea: as facial flushing becomes more frequent and intense, vascular damage occurs. This can result in long lasting redness, swelling and inflammatory papules and pustules. Telangiectasia (damaged micro blood vessels, often visible on the surface of the skin) may be noticed in the areas where flushing is worst. Severe Rosacea: characterised by intense bouts of facial flushing, severe inflammation, facial pain, swelling and burning sensations. Sufferers may develop intolerance to products they were able to use before. Also inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules may be present. Some experience a bulbous enlargement of the nose, known as rhinophyma. This is just a guide, you may of course experience symptoms outside these ranges.
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