The Acne Rosacea Society

A dedicated, varied group of dermatologists met recently at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting with a singular focus: elevating the understanding and treatment of acne and rosacea.Gathering for the first time, members of the newly established American Acne & Rosacea Society (AARS) met to discuss the group’s goals and objectives and to hear an entertaining keynote address from renowned dermatologist Albert Kligman, M.D., Ph.D.According to AARS President Guy Webster, M.D., Ph.D., “AARS was formed to promote research and education on the biology and treatment of acne.

Although acne and rosacea are common diseases that make up a large part of daily dermatologic practice, the academic community pays little attention to them. “We aim to correct this imbalance by encouraging investigation and developing young investigators.

Educational programs will be created to aid in resident training, and our meetings will provide a forum for presenting the latest research.”In addition to Dr. Webster, other Executive Committee members include President-Elect Hilary Baldwin, M.D., and Lee Zane, M.D., who is s Secretary-Treasurer. Founding Society Chairmen include Dr. Kligman, as well as Dr. John Strauss, Dr. Peter Pochi, Dr. Alan Shalita and Dr. Jim Leyden. The list of Founding Directors is equally impressive and includes the following: Diane Berson, M.D., David Cohen, M.D., James Q. Del Rosso, D.O., Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., Julie Harper, M.D., Mark Jackson, M.D., Sewon Kang, M.D., Anne Lucky, M.D., Leonard Swinyer, M.D., and Diane Thiboutot, M.D.If you’re interested in learning more about this group or joining the AARS, contact Dr. Baldwin at hbaldwin@downstate.edu.

The AARS has not yet set a date for its next meeting; however, this enthusiastic group is sure to have a lasting impact.“Our inaugural meeting was a happy collision of veteran researchers and young acne specialists, a sort of hybrid of the All-Star Game and the Hall of Fame all at once,” says Dr. Webster. “With such a group assembled I expect great things to happen!”

Symptoms Of Rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea can vary substantially from one patient to another, and may include various combinations of rosacea signs and symptoms. These rosacea symptoms include facial rosacea redness or flushing; Telangiectasis also known as damaged or dilated facial blood vessels or spider veins; rosacea 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 ocular rosacea 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.

New research findings by Bass & Boney, makers of Rosacea-Ltd; 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.

Water And Rosacea

As we grow older, we often have a reduced "sense" of thirst and think we do "not" need more water to hydrate our body and brain, therefore, we "deteriorate more quickly" as our skin is the first organ of the body to inform us. We need to drink at least 10 eight ounce glasses (2.5 liters) of "alkaline" water per day if you are a smaller person! Considerably more is needed if one is larger, working outside, playing a sport, or doing something else physically taxing.More water is needed if the rosacea sufferer has a higher metabolism, anxiety, or stress level, or if one lives in a dry climate.

Likewise, people that live in colder areas where the humidity is "low", especially when the home is being heated during a long winter, need more water because the air absorbs moisture from the body’s skin.

The skin also absorbs air pollution and whatever toxins are in the air environment just as it absorbs topical medications.

Water is needed for skin tissue repair as well as nearly every body process including efficient digestion, absorption, circulation and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin cell and all body cells and removes waste from the cell.

As we grow older, our bodies tend to dry out and it is even more important for us to consume enough water.

Since body heat relates to vascular dilation (also referred to as flushing) in most people, the rosacea sufferer needs even more water than the average person. The body and skin dilates when it is acidic from 'acidic foods, drinks, and exercise (lactic acid). Those with rosacea should consume between 10 and 16 glasses (4 liters) of cold water per day to cool the face and body and to assist the body in proper excretion of oil, "acidic" waste, (toxins). We have long heard of humans being intoxicated with alcohol. Alcohol usually has an "acid" pH between 2.0 and 4.5 depending on the type of alcohol beverage. The water must be cold to help prevent flushing and to reduce it once it has occurred.

The urine pH should be around 6.8 as an average ideal pH for normal body and brain function. Simply collect a small amount of urine twice per day at your leisure such as upon awakening and an hour or so before bedtime. You will find that urine is almost always acidic as urine is the waste product from the body, so obviously our foods and drinks need a much higher pH such as water to buffer or neutralize the acids of exercise (lactic acid) and stress (from adrenal hormones) and from the many acidic foods that we eat so quickly.

Consider how hot coffee, hot soup, and many other hot foods can make you flush (vascular dilation) -- by contrast, ice water curbs the flushing reaction by cooling the blood flowing to the brain's temperature center, which controls flushing (vascular constriction). Water also moistens the skin, greatly reducing clogged pores. Most importantly, water helps relieve stress during the day and relaxes the body for sleep. We cannot stress enough how important it is to drink water as water is usually alkaline (above 7.0 pH) from the tap of most homes. Please check your filtering system or reverse osmosis system to make sure that you are not changing the pH of your water to acid which is below 7.0 pH and causes us rosacea sufferers more than rosacea problems as "rosacea is more than a red face" as it is a signal that other organs are being affected which we can not see.

The hypothalamus is the body's thermostat which regulates temperature, but it cannot achieve this objective without adequate water. The body is approximately 70% water while the eye is approximately 96% water. Water is needed for skin tissue repair, efficient digestion, absorption, circulation and secretion. Water carries nutrients to the skin and body cells and removes waste from the cell and neutralizes or buffers the acids from exercise, stress, foods and drinks.

Acne And Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Can Irritate Rosacea

Many of the acne treatments and anti-wrinkle products that have been used in the past have lead to rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis while the acne continues to be a problem. And likewise, the range of rosacea treatments have often resulted in little rosacea improvement and may even cause more symptoms thus dermatologist state that "rosacea is a chronic progressive skin disease". Most dermatologists have been baffled by rosacea and its treatment, and call rosacea an "enigma". Others state the treatment of rosacea is one of the least understood skin diseases. As the traditional treatments fail, alternative therapies have gained respect in the treatment of rosacea of which 82% of rosacea patients also have acne, and 35% have seborrheic dermatitis which makes for a delicate skin treatment condition when a person has two skin disorders, and even more so when a person has rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne. Treatment can also be achieved naturally without using harsh chemicals. And always a good rosacea treatment is to reduce triggers by natural lifestyle changes.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Can Co-Exist With Rosacea

The Rosacea Sufferer often has Seborrheic Dermatitis which co-exist in 35% of sufferers which makes for a most delicate skin condition. Seborrheic dermatitis involves overactive sebaceous glands which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil.