What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) disease that affects the
skin and sometimes the eyes. The disorder is characterized
by redness, pimples, and, in advanced stages, thickened
skin. Rosacea usually affects the face; other parts of the
upper body are only rarely involved.
Who Gets Rosacea?
Rosacea most often affects adults between the ages of 30
and 60. Rosacea is more common in women (particularly
during menopause) than men. Although rosacea can develop in
people of any skin color, it tends to occur most frequently
and is most apparent in people with fair skin.
What Does Rosacea Look
Like?
There are several symptoms and conditions associated with
rosacea. These include frequent flushing, vascular rosacea,
inflammatory rosacea, and several other conditions
involving the skin, eyes, and nose.
Frequent flushing of the center of the face--which
may include the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin--occurs in
the earliest stage of rosacea. The flushing often is
accompanied by a burning sensation, particularly when
creams or cosmetics are applied to the face. Sometimes the
face is swollen slightly.
A condition called vascular rosacea causes
persistent flushing and redness. Blood vessels under the
skin of the face may dilate (enlarge), showing through the
skin as small red lines. This is called telangiectasia (tel-AN-je-ek-tay-ze-ah).
The affected skin may be swollen slightly and feel warm.
A condition called inflammatory rosacea causes
persistent redness and papules (pink bumps) and pustules
(bumps containing pus) on the skin. Eye inflammation and
sensitivity as well as telangiectasia also may occur.
In the most advanced stage of rosacea, the skin becomes a
deep shade of red and inflammation of the eye is more
apparent. Numerous telangiectases are often present, and
nodules in the skin may become painful. A condition called
rhinophyma also may develop in some men; it is rare
in women. Rhinophyma is characterized by an enlarged,
bulbous, and red nose resulting from enlargement of the
sebaceous (oil-producing) glands beneath the surface of the
skin on the nose. People who have rosacea also may develop
a thickening of the skin on the forehead, chin, cheeks, or
other areas.
Can Rosacea Be Cured?
Although there is no cure for rosacea, it can be treated
and controlled. A dermatologist (a medical doctor who
specializes in diseases of the skin) usually treats rosacea.
The goals of treatment are to control the condition and
improve the appearance of the patient's skin.
Some doctors will prescribe a topical antibiotic, such as
metronidazole, which is applied directly to the affected
skin. For people with more severe cases, doctors often
prescribe an oral (taken by mouth) antibiotic.
Tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, and doxycycline
are the most common antibiotics used to treat rosacea. The
papules and pustules symptomatic of rosacea may respond
quickly to treatment, but the redness and flushing are less
likely to improve.
Rosacea laser Treatment
Electrosurgery and laser surgery are treatment
options if red lines caused by dilated blood vessels appear
in the skin or if rhinophyma develops. For some patients,
laser surgery may improve the skin's appearance with little
scarring or damage. For patients with rhinophyma, surgical
removal of the excess tissue to reduce the size of the nose
usually will improve the patient's appearance.
What is Laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated
Emission of Radiation(LASER).
A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It
is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells
until they "burst". It may also be used for cosmetic
purposes, including removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or
birthmarks.
There are several types of lasers, including the carbon
dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum
garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser
has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is
directly related to the type of procedure being performed
and the color of the tissue being treated.
Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the
spread of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair
Possible side effects of
laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes
