Skin Care for People with Rosacea

Rosacea treatment for the skin

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that manifests mostly in the face. This can cause your skin to become red and blotchy; in some cases, you may even develop lumps. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Initial symptoms of rosacea can include a warm, tingling, or stinging feeling. However, it could stick around for good (1) if given enough time. The onset of rosacea and its subsequent worsening is typically observed in adults over the age of 30, while the condition is not age-specific.

Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought to arise from a combination of age-related changes in skin sensitivity and cumulative effects of environmental variables including sun, heat, and dietary indiscretions. In addition, age-related changes in blood vessel size and fragility can play a role in the onset and progression of the illness (2).

The likelihood of acquiring rosacea is higher in females than in males. This difference between the sexes has yet to be fully explained, although it is thought to be related to the hormonal shifts that women undergo throughout their lives. Hormonal shifts, including those that occur during pregnancy and menopause, have been linked to the onset or worsening of rosacea (3). Women also use more skin care and cosmetics than males, both of which can aggravate the skin.

Although women are more likely to acquire rosacea than males, men might experience more severe symptoms (4), including a thickening of the skin around the nose (known as rhinophyma). However, this does not occur instantly; rather, it evolves over a period of years. It's also possible for men and women to experience flushes, acne, and redness in different areas of their faces (5).

Skin care and managing the symptoms of rosacea

Men and women benefit from learning more about the causes of rosacea so they may better control their symptoms and enhance their quality of life. Using topical creams and potions is only part of skin care. Symptoms can be reduced if the underlying reasons are dealt with.

Sunlight is a known trigger for rosacea attacks. Therefore, avoiding direct sunlight as much as possible is recommended by seeking shade, donning a wide-brimmed hat, and using sunblock with a UV protection factor of at least 30 (6).

Avoiding exercise, hot baths and saunas, all of which raise core body temperature, is also recommended for those prone to flushing and redness. If you want to get in shape or lose weight, you should go for a stroll when the temperature is mild, such as first thing in the morning or after the sun goes down. Swimming is also recommended for those with rosacea because of its cooling effect on the skin. Aerobic activity is permissible, but you should not overdo it and risk overheating (7).

Red wine is said to be the most probable alcoholic drink to induce rosacea (9), and alcohol in general can produce flushing and worsen other rosacea symptoms (8). Therefore, abstaining from alcoholic beverages is recommended. Both hot beverages and spicy meals have been linked to rosacea flare-ups. Therefore, you should give some serious consideration before consuming them (6). Keeping a diet and symptom journal might help determine if certain foods or drinks are causing rosacea flare-ups. That makes it considerably less difficult to attribute flare-ups to specific foods or beverages.

Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause. Unfortunately, they may exacerbate rosacea flushing. Antihistamines can reduce the severity of these side effects (4). If you truly don't want to give up foods that you like but that cause flare-ups, taking antihistamine pills a couple of hours before eating and drinking these items will help minimise the effect of rosacea symptoms (10).

New studies have found a connection between gut health and rosacea development. As a result, rosacea symptoms may subside if you treat underlying digestive problems including celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, bacterial overgrowth in the stomach, or an excess of “bad” bacteria in the gut. To boost the number of good bacteria in the digestive tract, it is recommended that you either take a probiotic supplement or consume probiotic, fermented foods (11).

treatments used to treat angina and high blood pressure, as well as diuretics, have been linked to an increased risk of rosacea, and the use of many such treatments at once increases this risk (12). While it may be impossible to completely avoid certain medications, discussing the issue with your doctor may help you find relief from rosacea.

Last but not least, stress can heighten the intensity and frequency of rosacea outbreaks. Breathing techniques, meditation, and keeping a gratitude diary are all effective ways to handle stress (6).

Skincare to treat rosacea

Soap should be avoided in favour of gentle face cleansers while cleansing the skin. This helps to avoid skin irritation, which might trigger a rosacea attack. Soaps that include the anti-microbial and anti-fungal pyrithione zinc are the only ones that may be used. This is useful because it stunts the expansion of the skin's resident mites and yeasts. Although these mites and yeasts are found on everyone, they can be especially problematic for persons with rosacea because they can clog pores (13).

Green tea extract and aloe vera are two more ingredients found in some effective rosacea face cleansers. These are helpful because aloe vera provides moisture and green tea extract is an anti-oxidant that reduces inflammation. Choose a face cleanser that has the same pH as your skin and is fragrance-free (14). Read the product description thoroughly as this data will be included there.

Prescription topical creams are one option for treating skin conditions. These should be used daily for a few weeks (15), and contain ivermectin, azelaic acid, and metronidazole. In addition to the treatments, antibiotics like doxycycline may be recommended, particularly if infected acne is present (16).

After cleansing and using a pharmaceutical cream, moisturising is essential for maintaining the skin's hydration and functioning as a barrier against environmental aggressors. This layer protects the damaged skin, making it less fragile and more resistant to further damage. The moisturiser, once again, ought to be gentle enough for delicate skin. To be sure a new product doesn't aggravate rosacea symptoms, start with a tiny amount. Finally, after moisturising, apply sunscreen to shield skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation (17). Hyaluronic acid-containing moisturisers are very helpful for rosacea (18). Several common constituents in toners—alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, tea tree oil, peppermint, and rosemary—actually aggravate rosacea. Use a little quantity of toner, and stop using it if you experience any worsening of symptoms like burning or flushing (18).

The final point to be made is that while caring for rosacea-affected skin, products should be gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types. Consciously avoiding the things in life that bring on symptoms is also recommended.

References

1. Rosacea https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/
2. Patients Over 50 Hardest Hit With Rosacea Symptoms https://www.rosacea.org/rosacea-review/2000/fall/patients-over-50-hardest-hit-with-rosacea-symptoms
3. Rosacea and Menopause https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/rosacea-and-menopause
4. Women May Need Added Therapy https://www.rosacea.org/rosacea-review/2008/winter/women-may-need-added-therapy
5. Survey Shows Rosacea Symptoms Often Differ In Men And Women https://www.rosacea.org/rosacea-review/1996/summer/survey-shows-rosacea-symptoms-often-differ-in-men-and-women
6. How to prevent rosacea flare-ups https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/triggers/prevent
7. A Guide for Exercising When You’re Managing Rosacea https://www.everydayhealth.com/rosacea/staying-active-with-rosacea.aspx
8. Alcohol intake and risk of incident rosacea in US women https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438297/
9. Red Wine Found Top Alcohol Trigger For Conspicuous Facial Condition https://www.rosacea.org/press/2004/february/red-wine-found-top-alcohol-trigger-for-conspicuous-facial-condition
10. Lifestyle Tips Help Keep Rosacea At Bay https://www.rosacea.org/press/2016/march/lifestyle-tips-help-keep-rosacea-at-bay
11. Rosacea, Germs, and Bowels: A Review on Gastrointestinal Comorbidities and Gut–Skin Axis of Rosacea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7932979/
12. The Risk of Rosacea According to Chronic Diseases and Medications: A 5-Year Retrospective, Multi-Institutional Case-Control Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7992441/
13. Rosacea Skin Care Tips from My Dermatology Practice https://drbaileyskincare.com/blogs/blog/rosacea-skin-care-tips-from-my-dermatology-practice
14. 19 Best Face Washes For Rosacea (2023) https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/19-best-face-washes-for-rosacea-2023–news-267942
15. Topical treatments for rosacea https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6853348/
16. Rosacea https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2017/may/rosacea
17. Rosacea Skin Care Tips from My Dermatology Practice https://drbaileyskincare.com/blogs/blog/rosacea-skin-care-tips-from-my-dermatology-practice
18. How to Treat Rosacea Naturally https://www.dermstore.com/blog/how-to-treat-rosacea-naturally/

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