Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease with flare-ups and remissions. It affects both sexes but is more common in fair-skinned women between 30 and 50. However, it also occurs in men and even with severe symptoms.
The incidence of rosacea in the general population is up to 10%.
The symptoms
Rosacea manifests itself with many symptoms and signs on the face.
There is usually redness (erythema) accompanied by spider veins and acne-like marks (papules and pustules), mainly on the nose and cheeks. A subtype common in men is characterized by thickening of the skin on the nose, forehead, and ears and is due to hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands.
Finally, in 50% of the subtypes mentioned above, there may also be eye damage manifested as conjunctivitis, burning, foreign body sensation, itching, or photosensitivity.
Scientifically, rosacea has been classified into four subtypes based on clinical characteristics, but more than one form can coexist in the same person at the same time.
Rosacea is a subtype of rosacea disease.
What is it due to?
Although its pathogenesis remains unknown, several factors are implicated. These may be endogenous, i.e. hereditary, or disorders of the skin microvessels, or caused by microorganisms such as Demodex folliculorum, a skin parasite.
Environmental aggravating factors have also been identified, including heat, sun, and alcohol consumption.
Everyday habits and external factors can trigger rosacea. Heat, sun, stress, consumption of alcohol and spicy foods, as well as certain medications, aggravate the disease.
Prevention
If you suspect that you may have rosacea, it is important to avoid exposure to the sun between 11.00 and 16.00 and to wear a sunscreen product suitable for sensitive skin. Also avoid vigorous exercise, hot foods and drinks, alcohol and stay in air-conditioned areas as much as possible.
Treatment
Informing and educating patients to avoid aggravating factors and proper daily skin care is recommended, which is daily cleansing with special products for hypersensitive skin, hydration, and meticulous sun protection.
Beyond these, the treatment is individualized according to the prevailing clinical subtype and symptoms. The usual treatment consists of topical preparations (metronidazole, azelaic acid, topical antibiotics, etc.) and systemic drugs (tetracyclines, macrolides, metronidazole, isotretinoin).
Laser application shows encouraging results in treating erythema that does not respond to the above local or systemic therapies.
