Living With Rosacea Successfully

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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Rosacea is a skin disorder that is often mistaken for severe acne or a sign of alcoholism. Some doctors believe it is a vascular problem at core. For people who have this disorder, it is very challenging. It is a chronic medical condition with no cure at this point. The symptoms are very real and can cause emotional pain and can be quite physically painful as well. However, many times the symptoms of rosacea can be managed.

What are the signs of a person with rosacea? If you experience any of the following signs, you should consult a dermatologist. 1) Red or inflamed areas on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin 2) Visible blood vessels in the facial area 3) Pimples or bumpy areas on the face (other than whiteheads or blackheads) 4) Prolonged flushing where the blush doesn’t go back to normal in a normal amount of time 5) Watery eyes or irritated eyes in conjunction with the symptoms mentioned above 6) Thickening of the skin (occasionally) 7) Swelling of facial areas Over time, the nose may appear extremely red and bulbous, especially in older men, also known as rhinophyma 9) Sometimes rosacea appears on the chest, scalp, ears, or neck 10) Facial burning sensation, sometimes very intense and painful

The exact cause of rosacea is not yet known at this point in time. It commonly shows up in both women and men sometime between 20 and 40 years of age. Some women can become isolated if left untreated because of the embarrassment of their appearance, plus the physical pain that many times goes with it. Men are sometimes emotionally affected as well.

Coping with rosacea can be a challenge. First and foremost, see a dermatologist. Rosacea can go into remission if you are careful to follow his recommendations. Along with medication, there are lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce that the flares of rosacea won’t occur as often. Limit your exposure to sun and wind, be vigilant about using a good quality sunscreen. Try to keep stress levels at a minimum by adopting a healthy lifestyle and spending quiet time each day. Alcohol should be avoided as it tends to trigger a flush. If you enjoy a bath, use warm water instead of really hot water. Exercise is not off limits, but try low-impact forms of exercise in place of high impact ones, or swimming would be great. Try to exercise in cooler weather. Hot weather will worsen rosacea symptoms. Some people who suffer from rosacea react to hot beverages or spicy food

Some people with rosacea have tried and claim some relief with creams containing green tea, Chrysanthellum Indicum, Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), or Azelaic Acid have been reported to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and red capillaries.

Some people who suffer from rosacea react to hot beverages or spicy food. If this is true for you, try warm beverages and not so spicy food.

For cosmetics I like natural mineral makeup. Wearing a green color corrector type product as a base under foundation helps as green counteracts the red of the skin and works as camouflage it so it looks more natural. Try a very mild facial cleanser such as Oil of Olay sensitive skin facial cloths or Dove’s version. Do not use abrasive scrubs or astringent type products. I like using for moisture Neutrogena’s oil free moisturizer, and sometimes use pure emu oil.

Instead of a razor, men should opt for an electric razor to minimize irritation. Follow up with a gentle light non-scented moisturizer.

Rosacea can be a very difficult skin disorder to have, and is many times greatly misunderstood. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it can be managed well and symptoms minimized.
About the Author: By Rachel V. Rae A woman who as a teenage had beautiful skin. She shares to find methods to cope as well as to educate people about this little known skin condition and the beauty challenges it presents.
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