Rosacea is a disease that causes issues with your skin. Usually, this means redness or flushing of the face. It can also cause pimples and eye problems. It is most common in women and people with fair skin, and it usually doesn’t occur until someone is middle aged or older.
In most cases, rosacea only affects the face. Symptoms can include:
- Frequent redness of the face, or flushing
- Small, red lines under the skin
- Acne
- A swollen nose
- Thick skin, usually on the forehead, chin, and cheeks
- Red, dry, itchy eyes and sometimes vision problems
Rosacea Triggers
Rosacea “triggers” are factors that cause a flare-up of signs and symptom. There are a variety of potential factors that may trigger a rosacea flare-up in various individuals. While not everyone with rosacea experiences all of these triggers, the following are the most common lifestyle and environmental factors that cause flare-ups:
- Sun exposure
- Emotional stress
- Hot weather
- Wind
- Heavy exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Hot baths
- Cold weather
- Spicy foods
- Humidity
- Indoor heat
- Certain skin-care products
- Heated beverages
- Certain cosmetics
- Medications
As rosacea and its symptoms often vary for each patient, keeping a diary is a good way to determine which triggers affect your individual case. Track diet, weather, emotions, and activities like exercising, socializing, work-related tasks and household chores. Write down when you experience rosacea symptoms, as well as how bad and how long the symptoms last.
How Is Rosacea Treated?
Because each patient’s experience with rosacea is different, the treatment options can vary. If rosacea causes bumps and pimples, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical therapy. If you have redness of the face, there is a topical ointment that can help. If rosacea is causing blood vessels to be visible or you experience intense redness, laser treatment may be suggested by your doctor. For eye problems, there are oral antibiotics and other eye treatments specific to rosacea.
In addition to these treatment options, people suffering from rosacea should figure out the causes of their symptoms and try to avoid them if possible. That’s why keeping track of your symptoms is so important. Once you know what causes your symptoms, talk to you doctor about ways to control the effects of rosacea.
If you do not have a doctor and would like help finding one, UT Medical Center’s Healthcare Coordination can help. They will talk to you about what insurance you have, what type of doctor you need, and what days are most convenient for you. Call them today at 865-305-6970 to make an appointment.
For more information about rosacea or any other health topic, contact the Health Information Center. The Health Information Center is a library staffed by medical librarians and certified health information specialists. If you let us know your health information needs, we will do research for you, print what we find, and mail it straight to your house for free. You can call us at 865-305-9525. We also have a large collection of health books covering a variety of topics, including the following:
The 10 best-ever anxiety management techniques workbook
When someone you know has depression : words to say and things to do
Becoming a library member is free and only requires a picture ID.
The Health Information Center in located on the first floor the hospital. We have computers, printers, and a quiet place to take a break.