The medical term rosacea, or rosacea, is understood to mean, translated into German, the clinical picture of the so-called copper fin. In general, more women than men are affected, and older than younger people.
What is rosacea (rosacea)?
Rosacea, in English “copper fin”, is a skin disease in the area of the face, which is often associated with advanced age (often from the age of 40/50) with redness, pustules and pustules. These can be triggered by food, cosmetics, stress and environmental influences, among other things, and can be treated with certain behaviors, creams and tablets. For chalk teeth definition, please visit electronicsmatter.com.
The first signs include slight redness in the facial area, especially in the area of the forehead, cheeks, nostrils and chin. It is characteristic of this disease that both halves of the face are often affected, often even symmetrically.
Causes
The causes of rosacea have not yet been clearly clarified. Scientists suspect, on the one hand, that a regulatory disorder in the skin’s blood flow in the face area and, on the other hand, consumer goods such as coffee, tea, spicy foods or alcohol could be the trigger.
There are also factors such as strong temperature fluctuations, cosmetics or stress. The cosmetic products are in particular those containing alcohol, menthol, oils and perfume. This could be a possible reason why women are more likely to be affected by rosacea than men.
According to statistics, they often suffer from stress and try to treat small imperfections with creams and various other cosmetic products. It should also be mentioned that rosacea is not a hereditary disease and it cannot be transmitted.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Depending on the severity, different forms and different stages of development of rosacea are distinguished. At the beginning, the disease almost always occurs only on the face and here in particular on the nose and forehead as well as on the cheeks and chin. The area immediately around the eyes and mouth is usually spared.
The neck and décolleté are only affected later. Reddening of the skin and dilated vessels are characteristic of early-stage rosacea. Patients feel a burning or stabbing pain and sometimes severe itching. In the early stages, these symptoms subside after a few days, but the symptoms return.
If the disease progresses, rosacea papulopustulosa usually develops in the next stage. The redness slowly begins to turn blue, and vasodilation, nodules and, in many patients, pus pimples form. At this stage, the disease is often confused with acne, which it closely resembles in appearance.
The affected areas of skin become increasingly sensitive and react allergically to care products and cosmetics. If rosacea hypertrophica occurs, nodular thickenings form, especially on the nose. In addition to the physical suffering, psychological problems often arise, since the disease is very disfiguring and thus severely affects the general well-being of those affected.
Course of the disease
At the beginning of the disease, affected Rocacea patients often report slight itching or a feeling of tension, as well as “sunburn-like” skin. In the course of the disease, inflammation, small pustules and pustules develop, with extensive reddening often occurring over time.
It is typical for rosacea that the course takes place in recurring episodes. At times, the skin only looks slightly red and impure, and at other times it shows severely itchy pustules and purulent blisters. This inflammation of the sebaceous glands, which persists for years, leads to a strong proliferation of connective tissue, which causes small yellowish or reddish nodules to become visible.
This can result in a so-called “bulb nose”. It should also be mentioned that there are different types of rosacea, so not every patient has to be directly affected by every stage. In the ocular form, for example, the eyes are also affected in the form of conjunctiva, cornea, and eyelid inflammation.
Complications
In severe forms, rosacea can lead to various complications. These primarily include growths on the sebaceous glands, which are mainly found in the nasal region, and inflammation of the eyes. In addition, it is possible for the disease to progress rapidly. In some cases, however, it also stops temporarily.
One of the most serious consequences of rosacea is rhinophyma, also known as a bulbous nose. It occurs exclusively in the glandular-hyperplastic stage of the disease and is classified as grade III. It is particularly common in men over the age of 40. Those affected suffer from bulbous growths in the area of the nose, which represent a significant cosmetic problem. Sometimes the growths also form on the chin, earlobes or forehead.
In some patients, the skin growths can also show up individually without other rosacea symptoms being noted. A diagnosis is considered extremely important because the harmless rhinophyma can show similarities with a basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. So far, however, it has not been possible to clearly determine whether basal cell carcinomas are favored by rhinophymes.
Another complication of rosacea is inflammation of the eyes. About a fifth of all patients suffer from them. Eye rosacea becomes noticeable through inflammation of the edge of the eyelid or the conjunctiva. There is also a risk of iris inflammation or corneal inflammation. In extreme cases, ocular rosacea can even lead to blindness in the patient, which is very rare.
When should you go to the doctor?
Rosacea should always be treated by a doctor. Only timely medical treatment can limit and avoid further complications and symptoms. The earlier the disease is recognized and treated by the doctor, the better the further course of this disease. A doctor should be consulted if the affected person suffers from reddening of the skin. It can also cause severe itching.
If these symptoms occur for no particular reason and do not go away on their own, a doctor must be consulted in any case. In some cases, the symptoms can also resemble those of acne and should also be examined by a doctor. Permanent fatigue also indicates rosacea. First and foremost, rosacea can be examined by a dermatologist or by a general practitioner. The further treatment is then carried out by these doctors. There is usually a complete healing and no further complications or discomfort.
Treatment & Therapy
Many sufferers suffer extremely from rosacea (rosacea). It is not these themselves, but their appearance that bothers them. Similar to “simple” skin blemishes, rosacea is not a particularly painful condition, but one with aesthetic side effects.
The self-esteem of those affected suffers and the lack of prospect of a complete and quick recovery depresses the mood of the patient. But a well-trained specialist can help. He diagnoses the disease and gives valuable tips on how to deal with rosacea. Proper skin care is important. It should neither be severely irritated by vigorous rubbing nor treated with unnecessary cosmetics. Only fragrance-free cleaning products and creams may be used.
In addition, in the case of rosacea, strong exposure to the sun and high temperature fluctuations should be avoided. It is also possible to use a cream specially prescribed by a dermatologist, with the active ingredients metronidazole and erythromycin promising relief. Creams containing cortisone, on the other hand, should not be used. A massage of the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead can also have a beneficial effect on the healing process.
If this does not help the person concerned, taking medication cannot be avoided. The active ingredient minocycline is often used because it has few side effects. If a “bulb nose” is present, it can be treated surgically by removing the top layer of the nasal skin.
Prevention
The use of sunscreen, the avoidance of less well-tolerated foods and stress, the avoidance of perfumed and irritating cosmetic products and regular ophthalmological checks have a preventive effect against rosacea .
Aftercare
In most cases, those affected by rosacea have very few and only very limited measures or options for direct aftercare. They should therefore contact a doctor as soon as the first symptoms or signs of the disease appear, so that there are no further complications or complaints. Rosacea cannot heal itself.
The disease is usually treated by taking various medications. Those affected should always pay attention to the prescribed dosage and also to taking the medication regularly so that there are no complications or other symptoms in the further course. Most rosacea patients also depend on the ongoing support and care of their own family.
This can also alleviate or even completely prevent depression and other mental upsets. Loving and intensive conversations also have a positive effect on the further course of rosacea. In some cases, rosacea also reduces the life expectancy of the sufferer. However, the further course depends very much on the time of diagnosis and also on the severity of the disease, so that a general prediction is not possible.
You can do that yourself
People suffering from rosacea can also look out for things that improve the clinical picture or do not worsen it further, apart from any drug treatments. Since skin redness and inflammation can be aggravated by stress, it is important to avoid it as much as possible. The person concerned can use relaxation techniques such as yoga or mediation. These have a mood-enhancing effect and can protect against stress.
Because rosacea is an inflammatory disease, certain dietary factors can help. A particularly strong anti-inflammatory property is attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids. These are mainly found in fatty sea fish such as mackerel, herring or salmon. It is therefore recommended to eat fish once a week. In addition, stimulants that could worsen the complexion should be avoided as far as possible. Above all, the consumption of alcohol and nicotine should be significantly reduced. Regular exercise in the fresh air can also have a positive effect on the complexion.
Appropriate care and cosmetic products should also be used. Hard peelings and very rich and greasy creams should be avoided. We recommend products that are made up of as few ingredients as possible and contain no alcohol. Since the skin is very sensitive, a suitable sun protection factor should be applied even when there is little solar radiation. In addition, gentle facial massages can help to minimize swelling and redness.
