The Symptoms of Rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea can vary substantially from one patient to another, and may include various combinations of signs and symptoms. These symptoms of rosacea include facial redness or flushing; Telangiectasis also known as damaged or dilated facial blood vessels or spider veins; papules also described as a solid raised bump that may open when scratched, becoming crusty and infected; pustules which is a dome-shaped, fragile lesion containing pus that typically consists of a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria; skin sensitivity; a lumpy or orange-peel texture to the skin; facial swelling; burning sensations on the skin; ocular rosacea, often described as a red, irritated, gritty feeling in the eyes, the eyes may also have a swollen, watery appearance; the last symptom of rosacea is rhinopyma or nasal bumps that may produce a swollen misshapen appearance to the nose.
Studies suggest that eye (ocular) symptoms may occur in over half of rosacea patients, and 12 to 20 percent of ocular rosacea patients reported they developed their eye symptoms before developing any facial rosacea symptoms. On the other hand, facial redness is one of the most common symptoms of rosacea, and frequently appears before other signs and symptoms develop. Medical therapy can be tailored to control various signs and symptoms, and may also prevent rosacea from getting worse.

Rosacea-Ltd

Rosacea-Ltd will improve rosacea, ocular rosacea and acne rosacea. Since 1997 over 98% of our Rosacea-Ltd customers confirm that Rosacea-Ltd is extremely effective in reducing the facial redness associated with rosacea as well as dilated facial vessels and rosacea-related papules. And an unusual distinction over other rosacea medications is that Rosacea-Ltd also greatly improves the sebborheic dermatitis and acne that often co-exists with rosacea.

Early References to Rosacea

References to rosacea were also mentioned in early literature. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare's Henry V include descriptions of men with red faces and enlarged noses. Artists through the centuries also have depicted rosacea in paintings of red faces and bulbous red noses. A painting in the Louvre, "The Old Man and His Grandson" by Ghirlandiao around the year 1480, is another well-known example of rosacea depictions in early art and literature.

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular Rosacea is an inflammatory eye condition often associated with rosacea. Ocular rosacea can cause a persistent burning or gritty feeling in the eyes. Ocular rosacea may also manifest itself as inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes that may fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes (Dr. Thiboutot). The ophthalmic signs of ocular rosacea can vary widely, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The term ophthalmic or ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The most frequent signs, which may never progress to a more severe condition, are chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts; quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which ocular rosacea is often confused. Pain and light sensitivity may also be present. The ocular complications of rosacea are independent of the severity of facial rosacea (Drs. Gerd Plewig & Albert M. Kligman).

Alcohol Triggers Rosacea

A survey by the National Rosacea Society found that certain alcoholic beverages may affect rosacea more than others, while also dispelling the common myth that the condition is caused by heavy drinking.

In the survey of more than 700 rosacea patients, 10 percent of the respondents said they rarely or never drank alcohol, and an additional 10 percent reported that consuming alcoholic beverages had no affect on their disorder.

"While alcohol may exacerbate the signs and symptoms of rosacea, today it is well documented that this disorder can be just as severe in a nondrinker," said Dr. Diane Thiboutot, associate professor of dermatology at Pennsylvania State University.

Of the survey respondents who were affected by alcohol, red wine caused rosacea flare-ups for 76 percent, while white wine aggravated the condition in 56 percent and champagne affected 33 percent.

Other common libations were cited as well. Beer caused rosacea to react in 41 percent of respondents, and 15 percent said they were affected by malt liquor or malt-based beverages. Among hard liquors, vodka was the leading rosacea trigger, affecting 33 percent of the respondents. This was followed by tequila (28 percent), bourbon (24 percent), gin (24 percent), rum (24 percent) and scotch (21 percent).

For 64 percent of those affected by alcohol, it only took a single drink to cause a reaction.

Eighty-seven percent of the survey respondents said they limit their consumption of alcohol because of their rosacea, and nearly 90 percent of those limiting alcohol reported that it had helped reduce their rosacea flare-ups.

Facial Swelling Common in Rosacea

Facial edema, or swelling, may be more common in rosacea patients than is widely recognized because it is a difficult symptom for physicians to spot, according to Dr. Mark V. Dahl, chairman, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, at the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology."We don't appreciate edema very much," he said, because often at the initial visit, "we don't know what the patient normally looks like."

He noted that facial swelling is not usually the symptom that causes the patient to visit the doctor, but it can be treated along with the other effects of rosacea. It is believed that facial swelling in rosacea may be due to increased blood flow during flushing. If dilated vessels become "leaky," extra fluid may accumulate in the tissues faster than the lymphatic system, which transports fluids throughout the body, can remove it. Dr. Dahl noted that because swelling is related to flushing, "if you control the flush, you control the edema."

There is medical therapy for flushing, he said, and facial massage and cool packs also may be useful. Cool packs for the face can be found in pharmacies."Edema can alter the patient's appearance, and also contribute to progressive worsening of rosacea," Dr. Dahl said. "Controlling this symptom can help halt this process."

Rosacea Can Occur At Any Age

While rosacea has sometimes been described as affecting adults between the ages of 30 and 50, in actuality it may be just as common and even more severe after age 50."Rosacea not only can develop at any age, but it is a chronic condition that seldom goes away by itself, and therefore its prevalence may tend to increase as populations advance in age," said Dr. John Wolf, chairman of dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine. "Moreover, because rosacea tends to become progressively more severe without medical help, the symptoms are often especially intrusive in older patients who have delayed proper diagnosis and treatment over the years." Rosacea usually first strikes when people are in their 30s and 40s as well as in their 50s and 60s, as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that comes and goes. As the disease progresses, the redness becomes ruddier and more permanent, and tiny dilated blood vessels may become visible.Left untreated, acne-like bumps and pimples often develop and, in advanced cases, further inflammation develops and the nose may become bumpy, red and enlarged from excess tissue. This is the condition that gave the late comedian W.C. Fields his trademark bulbous nose. In some individuals, rosacea also causes the eyes to become watery, red and irritated as it increases in severity.In a survey of more than 2,000 rosacea patients by the National Rosacea Society, 44 percent reported that their symptoms first appeared in their 30s and 40s, while 43 percent said they first noticed rosacea symptoms after age 50. Only 13 percent said they first developed rosacea before age 30.

General Population Unaware of Rosacea

78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of rosacea, even though it has become increasingly widespread as the 76 million baby boomers enter their 30s, 40s and 50s -- the most dangerous years for first acquiring this chronic disorder."People with rosacea commonly assume it's just a complexion problem that will go away by itself," said Dr. Larry Millikan, chief of dermatology at the Tulane University Medical Center. "It is vital for any adult with facial redness or acne-like symptoms to see a dermatologist for differential diagnosis and appropriate medical therapy to prevent rosacea's progression to more serious stages."Rosacea is estimated to affect more than 13 million Americans, and typically strikes after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that comes and goes. Left untreated, the redness becomes ruddier and more permanent. Tiny dilated blood vessels may become visible, and acne-like bumps and pimples often appear.In advanced cases, the nose may become bumpy, red and enlarged from excess tissue. In some individuals, rosacea also causes the eyes to become gritty and red as it increases in severity, potentially leading to vision loss.Although rosacea is often called "adult acne," the national Gallup survey found that 73 percent of the respondents did not know this term can refer either to acne vulgaris, which primarily occurs during adolescence but also may appear in adults, or to rosacea, which is far more serious and requires different therapy. And only 10 percent of respondents knew that acne medication often can make rosacea worse.While rosacea can strike any segment of the population, individuals with fair skin who blush easily are considered most at risk. The condition is seen more frequently in women, but tends to be more severe in men. Some evidence suggests it runs in families, especially those of Irish, English, Scottish and northern or eastern European heritage."Fortunately today, we can usually stop the progression of rosacea and reverse its symptoms with proper medical treatment and appropriate lifestyle modifications," Dr. Millikan said.In most cases, dermatologists initially prescribe fast-acting oral or topical antibiotics to bring the symptoms under immediate control, and then continue long-term therapy with the topical antibiotic alone to maintain remission of symptoms. It is also important for patients to identify and avoid any factors that might trigger flare-ups in their individual cases.

Treating Rosacea With Rosacea-Ltd

Rosacea Ltd III™ will improve the appearance of rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and acne. 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 (telangiectasia), as well as rosacea-related papules.

Adverse Side Effects of Oral Medications

To treat rosacea, dermatologists often initially prescribe oral antibiotic tablets to bring the condition under immediate control. However, taking more than one oral medication for different conditions may produce an adverse reaction, according to Dr. H. Irving Katz, professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota, speaking at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology."There is a long list of potential adverse reactions when combining oral antibiotics with other therapies," he said. For example, tetracycline taken with the blood thinner warfarin may produce increased anticoagulation tendencies. Oral metronidazole taken in conjunction with the antihistamine terfenadine may increase risk of irregular heartbeats. He noted that one of the remote and controversial results of oral antibiotic therapy may be a lessened effectiveness of oral contraceptives.Dr. Katz said that dermatologists should obtain a complete medical and therapeutic history from their patients to identify potential risk when prescribing oral medications. In addition to potential adverse interactions with other drugs, common side effects of oral antibiotics include nausea, gastrointestinal upset, sun sensitivity and yeast infection.In contrast, he said topical antibiotics, often used for long-term rosacea therapy, pose little risk because blood levels of the drug are minuscule or absent.