Almost 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea, a very common skin disease, but most of them don’t know it, according to the National Rosacea Society. Learning the basics about rosacea can help you discover if you or someone you know has it, so you can take steps toward treatment.
We spoke with Mandi Robinson, licensed aesthetician at the Banner Health Center Medspa about rosacea and how it can be treated.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a skin disease that most commonly appears on the face as overall redness, broken capillaries, dilated blood vessels and pimples. While the cause is unknown, you can avoid some triggers.
Triggers for rosacea include:
- Spicy foods
- Dairy
- Extreme hot or cold temperatures
- Sun exposure
- Alcohol
- Smoking
The National Rosacea Society explains that many overlook the early signs of rosacea because they assume they are just temporary; however, without treatment the effects become increasingly severe. How rosacea presents itself can vary from one person to the next. It’s most commonly diagnosed in women, but the symptoms of rosacea in men tend to be more severe. In severe cases, skin thickening may occur, and the nose may enlarge from excess tissue, which can lead to facial disfigurement and inadequate nasal airflow.
While less severe cases of rosacea may not be life-threatening, rosacea, especially if untreated, can still affect a person mentally. According to surveys by the National Rosacea Society, about 90% of those with rosacea said the condition lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem and 88% said rosacea negatively affected their professional interactions.
Treatment, however, can help to minimize some of the negative effects rosacea can have. In fact, 70% of those surveyed said that they felt medical treatment improved both their emotional and social well-being.
How is rosacea treated?
If you think you might have rosacea, visit your dermatologist for a diagnosis. A dermatologist can prescribe different oral and topical medications to help reduce the rosacea symptoms. There is also a laser treatment called FotoFacial or IPL that can be commonly performed by a laser technician or aesthetician in an office.
For help finding a dermatologist, visit: doctors.bannerhealth.com.
