Rosacea: What Is Acne Rosacea?

Rosacea
What is acne rosacea?

Acne rosacea is a skin problem that affects the nose and face. It causes redness and lumps.
Blood vessels become more visible. Sometimes the nose gets larger and looks misshapen.
Rosacea can happen at any age, but it most commonly seen in adults who are fair-skinned
between the ages of 30 and 50.
How does it occur?
The cause of acne rosacea is not well understood. It may be caused by a blood vessel problem.
Contrary to popular belief, rosacea is not caused by alcoholism.
Rosacea is not related to the pimples and cysts of acne. But people who have rosacea may also
have acne. Acne and rosacea often are treated with the same medicines.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are a red nose and the appearance of blood vessel patterns on the
surface of the nose. In women, redness and blood vessels may appear only on the cheeks and
chin.
Over time the nose may develop small lumps and appear swollen. The nose can become quite
enlarged, and its surface may become thickened with scar tissue.
Sometimes rosacea also affects the eyelids, which become red and swollen. Rarely, the surface
of the eyes may be affected, causing a sense of burning and grittiness.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will probably be able to diagnose rosacea just by looking at your skin.
In unusual cases a skin biopsy (removal of a small sample of skin) may be needed to confirm the
diagnosis.
How is it treated?
If you have increased flushing and blushing that does not go away and gets worse, you should
see your health care provider. Treatment of rosacea is very important because it can permanently
damage facial tissues.
Rosacea is often first treated with antibiotics. Some of these antibiotics are taken by mouth.
Others are put on the skin.
If rosacea is affecting your eyes, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotic medicine for
your eyes. You may be referred to an eye doctor.
For more severe cases of rosacea, an oral medicine called isotretinoin (Accutane), may be
prescribed. Women must use isotretinoin very carefully. It causes birth defects if a woman is or
becomes pregnant while she is taking the drug or if she has taken it 1 or 2 months before
becoming pregnant.
A new medicine that may be prescribed for rosacea is called Finacea (azelaic acid). It is a gel
medicine for acne that can be put on your skin.
Steroid creams put on the face can sometimes help. These creams should be used only under
the supervision of a health care provider even if they are nonprescription. Sometimes prolonged
use of steroids can cause skin damage.
If the usual medicines do not help the problem, and especially if your nose is significantly
enlarged or deformed, you may be referred to a dermatologist. Dermatologists are skin specialists
and can suggest other possible treatments, including various types of surgery. A few medical
centers are beginning to experiment with laser surgery for rosacea.
How long will the effects last?
It is rare for rosacea to go away on its own and the condition usually worsens over time. Rosacea
can be successfully treated if it is diagnosed in its early stages.
How can I take care of myself?
Follow the treatment prescribed by your health care provider. Use the medicines as
prescribed.
Overexposure to sunlight can worsen the effects of rosacea. Limit your exposure to
sunlight, and when you are out in the sun, use sunscreen.
Both men and women with rosacea often use makeup to cover the skin changes. Make
sure you avoid using irritating cosmetics.
Avoid getting hairspray on your face.
For more information, contact: National Rosacea Society
Phone: 888-NO-BLUSH
Web site: http://www.rosacea.org . American Academy of Dermatology
Phone: 888-462-3376
Web site: http://www.aad.org .
How do I prevent acne rosacea?
Because the cause of rosacea is not well understood, prevention of this problem is also not well
understood. Rosacea may be inherited and therefore it may not be easy to prevent. However,
people who have just started having rosacea, or who have a family history of rosacea, should
avoid any foods, drinks, or other irritants (such as sunburn) that cause facial flushing. Frequent
facial flushing may cause rosacea to appear for the first time or to worsen.
Published by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes
available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical
evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
Copyright 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.
Special Instructions:

Copyright Clinical Reference Systems 2004
Adult Health Advisor

Copyright 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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