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Rosacea Symptoms and Effective Treatments

Rosacea is a skin problem that influences millions of individuals, causing inflammation and bumpy skin patches. It causes inflammation of the face, neck, chest, as well as the eyes. Rosacea leaves the skin very tender and vulnerable to further inflammation. So much so that even face washing, for example, needs to be done with care utilizing a non-soap cleanser, no scrubbing. The heat of the shower, the heat of the hair dryer, the hurrying around, the cold wind on the cheeks can cause the face-flushing or blushing associated with Rosacea.

Think it’s an odd, unknown skin problem not typically experienced? Think again. A short (very short) list of famous people with Rosacea includes: Cameron Diaz, former president Bill Clinton, both Prince William and mom Princess Diana, 1920’s-30’s entertainer W.C. Fields, to name a few.

Medically speaking, Rosacea is the existence of too many melanosomes, which are melanin pigmentation “particles” present in the skin’s pigment cells (Melanocytes). Rosacea patients’ bodies over-utilize tyrosinase, the real enzyme responsible for melanin production. Therefore Rosacea could be seen as a two-fold problem: 1) a lack of breakdown of melanosomes and 2) overlay active tyrosinase leading to excess melanin production.

A few truths, typical symptoms, and pre-conditions to Rosacea.

– Symptoms often begin as being easily “flushed in the face” or “blushing” with ease.

– Left untreated, nose, cheeks, and other areas of the face gradually darken with noticeable blood vessels and soreness.

– Symptoms typically, not always, but generally begin around age 35 to 50.

– Although sometimes seen in individuals with darker skin, Rosacea is most common in lighter complected, blonde haired, and blue eyed individuals.

– Over use of skin treatments, excess sun exposure, and very often stress are common triggering events of Rosacea.

– Although drinking is frequently associated with Rosacea, it is not a reason for the condition.

Effective Rosacea Treatments

First off, if you think you could have Rosacea or you know you have it but aren’t really doing anything to treat it, the watchwords should be: First, do no harm! Second, treat it! Rosacea leaves the skin extremely tender and vulnerable to further soreness, sensitivity, and inflammation. If left untreated, Rosacea can become a condition called rhinophyma: the familiar bulbous, misshapen, large nose, such as that of W.C. Fields.

Get Rosacea under control and under the supervision of a skin specialist. They will likely suggest an oral antibiotic in combination with a topical cream. The Rosacea cream suggested most by skin specialists and physicians, the one thought to be the most effective for Rosacea, is hydroquinone. As the primary component found in numerous skin care products intended to lighten or correct skin discoloration attributable to age spots, dark spots, freckles, acne marks, etc, it turns out to also work well for Rosacea. And, mercifully, the more economical, non prescription strength hydroquinone 2% works the best for Rosacea. Recall that the two-fold Rosacea cause is 1) a lack of breakdown of melanosomes and 2) overlay active tyrosinase? Hydroquinone cream solves both of these by preventing the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase which, in turn, enhances the breakdown of melanosomes.

From a practical perspective, Rosacea patients must minimize exposure to the sun. And especially while treating with a hydroquinone based skin lightening cream, remove sun exposure to the treated area completely. This is critically important but really pretty simple to achieve with a decent broad spectrum, SPF 30 sunscreen, hat, gloves, and other protective clothes.

So, even though fun in the hot sun, on the beach, or at the pool is virtually out of the question, getting Rosacea under control is important and really do-able. Do not suffer. Do not ignore it. Do not let it become something worse.

Bob Vanderhoff