New Insights Into Rosacea Causes

It has been said that rosacea is more than just a red face. In fact it is a complex system of action and reaction. Rosacea partially results from an overly acidic body and skin. The pH (potential of hydrogen) as you remember from your high school general science or chemistry class, ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. As you rethink your past history, you will notice that "all" the rosacea triggers come from "acidic items" regardless of whether they are foods, drinks, stress, or merely out of breath. We all know that if we hold our breath for 30 seconds or 60 seconds, we will all notice that our face turns pink or red. We all know, but hardly think that the cause is a build up of carbon dioxide which is an "acidic" gas and we have a shortage of oxygen. Very similarly, when we exercise for a short period, we have a build up of "lactic acid", which is a body waste, which is obviously acidic. Likewise, those with acne need to be very concerned about the build up of acids in our blood stream due to the foods and beverages that we consume. We all know of our triggers such as alcohol, coffee, various medications, etc. which all have a pH below 7.0 or are termed acidic. Our objective therefore should be to balance, buffer or neutralize the acids with alkaline.

Acidity is measured as a pH of 1 to 7. Alkalinity is 7 to 14.The numbers refer to how many hydrogen atoms are present compared to an ideal or standard solution. Normally, blood is slightly alkaline, at 7.35 to 7.45; urine pH is the best and easiest way to check on the proper foods and drinks being eaten. Try to keep the pH in the 6.8 to 7.00 range for optimal functioning of the body and brain. If we are excessively alkaline, we don't have the mental and physical 'go' so we need our 'energy' brain and muscle foods and drinks during the day and very alkaline foods at night to calm the body and brain (parasympathetic system).

This scale is logarithmic; meaning that each number is ten times stronger than the preceding number. For example, a pH of 2 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 3 and one hundred times more acidic than a pH of 4.

Water is alkaline with a pH of about 7.3, and likewise more alkaline foods such as more "fresh vegetables" and fruits are needed which are alkaline (higher pH than 7.0). Acidic foods and drinks are the problem with a pH of below 7.0 such as coffee at 2.2. To improve your total body and skin condition, eat and drink 90% of the alkaline foods with 10% meats while avoiding breads, pastas, sugars, desserts, etc.

The body has several different ways to ensure that the pH balance stays in the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. These are referred to as buffer systems. Through normal day-to-day activity in the body, acids are formed as waste products that need to be neutralized, alkalized, or buffered and eliminated. Some of the acids are released with CO2 from exhaling; others are excreted via the kidneys. With acidic foods and drinks, there is always more carbon dioxide (acidic) while alkaline foods produce much more oxygen (think of your high school classes of the tree, grass, and plants giving off oxygen). These systems work together in the healthy human body to keep the pH level within normal ranges. Sometimes with extreme intake of acidic foods and drinks, the normal system cannot compensate and the body becomes even more stressed resulting in more stress hormones, which are also acidic in nature causing more of a blush/flush. Likewise, simple illnesses such as influenza, minor surgery, or emotional and mental stress continue to lower the pH of the body and with more resulting skin blushing and flushing. Likewise, almost all medications are acidic except anti-acid medications such as Zantac, Milk of Magnesium, etc.
The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol, a natural body hormone of about 10 mg of cortisol daily, with peak cortisol levels occurring early in the morning and therefore the acne flushing and papules will look best in early mornings after this natural anti-inflammatory drug. The hormone that will report back to the original brain centers together with other body organs to tell it to stop the whole cycle. But since cortisol is a potent hormone, the prolonged secretion of it will lead to health problems such as the break down of cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system with resulting osteoporosis and arthritis - rheumatism, and the immune system. Also when the organism does not have a chance for recovery, it will lead to both catecholamine and cortisol depletion. The whole idea is "not to keep" the body in a 'fight or flight' system with any stress, stimulation or food/drinks.

Likewise more alkaline foods such as vegetables and fruits, are needed to offset the lactic acid of even mild body use at the office (and even more in strenuous labor jobs), carbon dioxide, adrenaline stress hormones, etc. Or, to keep the "rosacea bank account" balanced, the rosacea sufferer may simply try to minimize the acid foods, drinks, and exercise.

The biggest offenders always seem to be alcohol, coffee, pastries, donuts, pizza, etc. and most of these are avoided easily. However, understanding alcohol is slightly more difficult. Beer has an average pH between 2.0 to 2.5 while wines are around 3.0, while whiskey, gin, and vodka are 'most interesting' with a pH of about 4.0 straight from the bottle. So if one wants to "stay sober and really drink to his or her health," they should drink small portions of gin, vodka or whisky and optionally mix the alcoholic beverage with "water or fruit juice", which are alkaline or neutral. Do not forget that party foods are very acidic and cause fat to accumulate on the body. Having more alkaline foods and drinks presents a very easy way to lose weight without trying and at the dame time, reducing cellulite and bags under the eyes.

The accumulation of acids has a different name depending on the location where it is noticed. When we intake acidic or party foods and drinks, we flush and call it rosacea on our face. With more accumulation and less exercise to burn the acids, the acids accumulate on the stomach or backside (buns) and we call it body fat or maybe fat and cellulite and purchase bigger clothes over the years. When acids accumulate on the teeth, we call it tooth plaque which breaks down the tooth enamel resulting in a tooth cavity. When acids build up in the arteries, we again call it artery plaque or cholesterol which can lead to artery blockages and heart attacks. All these words have a common meaning of "Metabolic Acidosis".

Certainly acid or plaque/cholesterol accumulation makes for it more difficult for the blood to move through the facial area resulting in more rosacea symptoms, thus the "Sobye Facial Massage" and body stretching and a small amount of exercise are needed for improved circulation due to the restricted vessels and arteries, as you will read on the Lifestyle Changes page.

An accumulation of food or body acids affects the bones very much as our bones are the biggest sources of alkaline minerals, which are antioxidants or the opposite of acids. These alkaline minerals or antioxidants (such as iron, zinc, copper, iodine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fluoride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride) are vital to bones, organs, brain and skin tissue life. When the pH balance becomes more "acidic" the minerals shift by the process of osmosis from the bones to the kidney and gall bladder creating very uncomfortable kidney stones, gall stones or "bone stones".

Rosacea-Ltd has prepared a rosacea diet page to help you select the most alkaline foods and avoid the most acidic ones. You don't have to understand the math, simply drink more alkaline water and foods from the green side of our rosacea diet.

Red man syndrome, a reaction to the highly acidic antibiotic vancomycin, is further evidence that rosacea is caused by an acidic body.

Rosacea-Ltd has a team of Rosacea Researchers with 60 years of collective research, led by a Johns Hopkins MD, have confirmed that the cause or etiology of rosacea is an immune system disorder. The "good rosacea news" is that your "Rosacea Flushing Bank Account" can be "balanced" to prevent an overdraw or going into the "red" or "rosacea flushing". Most medical researchers are baffled as to the cause or etiology of rosacea and it remains in contention among them currently. The cause of rosacea has been a hotly debated topic with the result One must wonder if they don't understand the cause, then how can they effectively treat rosacea? Okay, just continue doing the same thing with marginal or no results is not a good answer. As Dr. Albert Einstein stated, "The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same thinking that created them".

Rosacea Management and Treatment

Rosacea-Ltd is a different concept in rosacea management and treatment. It is composed of natural mineral ingredients, which improves the appearance of damaged and irritated skin often related to rosacea and/or acne. Rosacea-Ltd promotes healthy looking skin and progressive healthy lifestyles related to the improvement of the overall appearence of one's skin. Initial studies of rosacea test subjects indicate and 98 percent of previous Rosacea-Ltd users confirm that Rosacea-Ltd is extremely effective in soothing and conditioning the skin to lessen the appearance of facial redness (erythema) and dilated facial vessels (telangectasia), as well as rosacea-related papules (raised red lesion without pus) and acne pimples (with pus due to bacteria). Within weeks, you will notice positive changes in the condition of your skin.
Our team of Rosacea Researchers with 60 years of collective research, led by a Johns Hopkins MD, have confirmed that the cause or etiology of rosacea is an immune system disorder. The "good rosacea news" is that your "Rosacea Flushing Bank Account" can be "balanced" to prevent an overdraw or going into the "red" or "rosacea flushing". Most medical researchers are baffled as to the cause or etiology of rosacea and it remains in contention among them currently. The cause of rosacea has been a hotly debated topic with the result One must wonder if they don't understand the cause, then how can they effectively treat rosacea?
It is often the cumulative effect of the treatments you've been using to treat your rosacea that may actually be the aggravating source or factor of your current rosacea treatment. Improving the skin involves a complete change in your thought processes and your approach to treating and and controlling your rosacea.
Many rosacea sufferers have been frustrated for many years with unsuccessful or marginal results from many rosacea skin care products. Antibiotics, retnoids, Accutane, and steroids have been a mainstay of rosacea treatment for years. Rosacea sufferers have noticed that these prescribed treatments and various rosacea laser treatments have not worked well as a rosacea skin care product; also these past treatments for rosacea may have caused additional damage to the already sensitive rosacea skin. Oral and topical antibiotic rosacea treatments for adult acne rosacea can work for up to several months before the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic, causing the antibiotic to lose its effectiveness. Oral antibiotic treatment actually cause more rosacea red symptoms.
Overall 98% of Rosacea-Ltd III users confirm that they have found an excellent improvement in two to three weeks in the appearance of their rosacea skin condition after stopping their previous rosacea treatment that have been too aggressive for the overly sensitive rosacea skin. More importantly take a photo now of yourself so you can compare your rosacea skin in 2-3 months by taking an after "Rosacea-Ltd III" photo.Former rosacea sufferers see a calming of their facial rosacea redness, dilated facial rosacea vessels and rosacea papules (a small, red solid rosacea skin lesion without pus that is not acne) as well as acne and seborrheic dermatitis after stopping their previous rosacea skin treatment.

The Progression of Rosacea

Rosacea Progression: The redness begans and gradually becomes more more persistant with spidery blood vessels becomes progressively prominent on the nose and cheeks. Trauma from abrasives and peeling agents (Retin - A and all other retnoids, steroids and exfoliants including anti-aging products) easily cause more long-lasting redness. Inflammatory papules (without pus) and pustules (with pus) develop and continue to worsen. Facial pores often become larger and prominent. If there has been much sun exposure damage over the years, the skin becomes more leathery skin becomes more wrinkled as it is not elastic or as soft to bend. Eventually, the sides of the neck as well as the area down to the center of the chest began to redden and later the ears and area behind the ears also become more red. The facial skin contours gradually become coarse and thickened. A small number of rosacea patients realize they have a more serious presentation of the disease of rosacea with the condition of nose tissue hyperplasia beginning. Hypergenesis is a general term referring to the proliferation of cells within an organ or tissue beyond that which is ordinarily seen as is indicative of cancer cells expansion. "Rosacea is more than a red face" as rosacea sufferers often have allergy and sinus problems, fibromyalgia, digestive system disorders, and in later years osteoporosis and arthritis - rheumatism presents itself along with a lowering of the total immune system. As you read our new rosacea research facts page, you will find that rosacea is just one symptom of a "metabolic acidosis" disorder.

The Flush Of Rosacea

One of the main concerns about rosacea are the symptoms of flushing or difuse redness. The flushing factor tends to cause the comment and embarrassment for the rosacea sufferer. Facial redenss or erythema is best defined as a lengthy flush of embarrassment or emotion in a socal situation that may last for a few minutes to many hours. While for many others it is the more constant redness or blotchy flushed appearence that becomes the cause of embarrassment. The redness is generally located on the cheek area but can spread down to the chin, neck or even upper chest. In some cases the forehead may also be involved. This redness can be associated with many things such as food, dust, environmental or chemical allergies, stress, over-exertion, excercise, alcohol, extreme heat or cold. If the redness becomes more permanent or constant, one may suspect the skin condition known as rosacea.

Treatment of rosacea needs to begin with an understanding of what causes or influences your rosacea flushing. Effective skin care for rosacea must address the flushing issues. Rosacea sufferers have on average more facial blood vessels than the general population, or they have blood vessels which are more prominent or severely damaged. Consequently, anything that stimulates facial dilation cannot be handled easily or properly. We will attempt to help you understand vascular constriction and dilation. Dilation, or enlarging of the blood vessels, produces the flushing which rosacea sufferers experience. Understanding what causes the vessels to dilate will you in controlling the factors that aggravate a rosacea flush.

Facial redness or erythema is best defined as that lengthy blush of embarrassment in a social situation that may last for many hours. While for many others it can be a more constant redness that becomes a cause of embarrassment. The redness is generally located in the cheek area but can spread to down to the chin and neck and even upper chest. In some cases the forehead area may also be involved. The facial redness can be associated with many things such as food, dust, environmental or chemical allergies; stress, over-exertion; exercise, extreme heat or cold; or alcohol.

Many rosacea patients definition of rosacea is a hot burning sensation 'of sensory feelings' like a sunburn. Other patients definition is the 'appearance' that they personally view themselves and how others socially view their red sunburn appearance.' In the early stages of rosacea this redness may come and go. In the later stages of rosacea, the effect becomes more permanent. The facial redness or flushing may last anywhere from hours to days at a time.

THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF ROSACEA

The successful treatment of rosacea involves many aspects of skin care and total heallth care. Anything that creates changes in the body or in the facial skin can have an impact rosacea and its treatment. Rosacea is a complex interaction involving several factors and/or conditions. Changing those factors which contribute to your rosacea, may be the key to controlling or even curing your rosacea! Balancing those factors which in the past have influenced your rosacea will help to control or manage your rosacea. Many factors contribute to or aggravate rosacea. As you study them you will find easy simple ways to limit or eliminate a source of your rosacea. Not all factors will influence everyone's rosacea but finding yours may be the key to limiting or controlling your rosacea in a natural way.

It is important in the treatment of the causes of rosacea to use as many ways of curing rosacea as possible. Hippocrates said, "First of all, do no harm," referring to doctors' treatment of the entire body. A treatment derivative could be 'not to cause harm' to the body with our foods, drinks, sunlight, stress from work or lack of sleep, etc., in order to reduce the symptoms of rosacea. Information on rosacea educates the reader about steroid rosacea, accutane rosacea, acne rosacea, adult rosacea, ocular rosacea, pregnancy rosacea, make-up for rosacea, rosacea cleanser, rosacea diet, and the many possible treatments.

The Picture of Rosacea

A picture taken early in the diagnosis of rosacea can be effective when treating rosacea. A picture taken at various intervals of the treatment process can track the chronic progressive skin disorder of rosacea. A chronological picture file is needed is useful in determining the progression of your rosacea condition and in judging the possible benefits of your current rosacea treatment. It is difficult to tell from a picture of rosacea what degree of rosacea-related skin sensitivity may be present as the tone, elasticity, darkness of the skin makes everyone different. Often the darker colored skinned people have rosacea but it does not show up easily to be diagnosed as rosacea.
To get a clear picture of rosacea, it’s best to start with the clinical definition of rosacea. Rosacea is known as a hereditary, chronic (long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny microvessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness associated with rosacea can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch. Note: Pustules are NOT pimples. Pimples have a bacterial component to their pathogenesis and are also mainly localized in and around the hair follicles. This implies that there can be no cure for rosacea or even an effective treatment for your rosacea and yet many have found ways to control their rosacea through effective treatment and lifestyle changes.
The inflammation of rosacea can look very much like acne, but blackheads and whiteheads are almost never present. Rosacea is a fairly common disorder -- about one in every twenty Americans is afflicted with it (Drs. Faria and Edward). Rosacea usually begins with frequent flushing of the face, particularly the nose and cheeks. This facial flushing is caused by the swelling of the blood vessels under the skin. This "red mask" can serve as a flag for attention. Telangiectasis is easy to recognize, characterized by the visible presence of capillaries, bright red in color. Diffuse redness frequently precedes the appearance of telangiectasis and is a constant flushed appearance. True diffuse redness is quite different from a localized erythema as seen in cases of sunburn, inflammation or over stimulation. With both telangiectasis and diffuse redness, the redness is not transitory and there generally is not an increase in skin temperature, but particularly there are no alterations in the tissue structure or biochemistry as seen in rosacea. The circulatory network of the skin is extensive and the capillaries are the smallest, most delicate vessels. During normal blood circulation the capillaries undergo constant changes. In between beats the pressure is relieved and the vessels constrict back to their normal size. This return to normal size is accomplished by the natural elasticity in the structure of the capillary. If telangiectasis is present, the capillaries' elasticity is deteriorated so they remain slightly dilated. The constant influx of blood perpetuates this slight dilation. The skin gradually becomes congested and eventually the capillaries become visible through the skin's surface. When it comes to telangiectasis, sometimes a person's lifestyle and habits can be the skin's worst enemy. In a fair, delicate skin predisposed to telangiectasis, a steady diet of hot, spicy food, chronic alcohol consumption and eating meals too quickly will promote telangiectasis. And many retinoids used for acne as well as many harsh soaps continue to aggravate the skin. Then there's cigarette smoking, which depletes the skin of vitamin C, essential for the formation of collagen, accelerates the cross linkage of collagen and the hardening of elastin and furthermore creates a trillion free radicals, which destroy the capillary structure. Smoking, which additionally robs the skin of oxygen, is a potent initiator of telangiectasis. Also, the smoker may have a variety of medical problems such as high blood pressure, and mineral deficiencies, which can cause the appearance of telangiectasis.
Rosacea can involve the eyes resulting in a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes sometimes fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes. The ocular signs of rosacea are exceedingly variable, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The term ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The most frequent sign of ocular rosacea, which may never progress, is chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts, quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which it is often confused. Pain and photophobia may be present. It is instructive to ask rosacea patients how their eyes react to bright sunlight.
To view rosacea pictures of what many would consider more severe rosacea cases in the pictures of a man's face and a woman's face. Please remember that these pictures of rosacea sufferers are severe cases. With rosacea, sometimes the picture tells the whole story as others see you. Many times we hear people say, "I didn't realize how red my face was until I saw a picture of myself."

Antibiotics For Rosacea Treatment

Antibiotics, retinoids, Accutane, and steroids have been a mainstay of rosacea treatment for years. Rosacea sufferers have noticed that these prescribed treatments and various rosacea laser treatments have not worked well as a rosacea skin care product; also these past treatments for rosacea may have caused additional damage to the sensitive rosacea skin. Oral and topical antibiotic rosacea treatments for adult acne rosacea can work for up to several months before the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic, causing the antibiotic to lose its effectiveness. Dermatologist continue to be baffled by rosacea due to a lack of patient history and experience, and treat rosacea like other skin disorders. The result is that the doctor becomes frustrated and the patient becomes impatient and migrate to another doctor. Oral antibiotic treatment actually cause more rosacea red symptoms. For information on the latest FDA findings, see Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics.