What is rosacea and how do we treat it?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatologic condition that is non-infectious in nature. It manifests as areas of persistent redness, pustules, tubercles and other eruptions on the skin of the face. Rosacea most often affects fair-skinned people in Scandinavian countries.

The given dermatosis causes visible cosmetic blemishes, psychological problems, negatively affects patients' performance and personal life. Women over 30 are most susceptible to the disease.

Rosacea causes

The disease has a complex and poorly understood nature. The factors affecting the development of rosacea are divided into:

• Internal - genetic predisposition, vascular pathologies, endocrine disorders, menopause, gastrointestinal diseases;
• external - coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits and spices, hot food and drinks, cold or hot air, Demodex mites, Helicobacter pylori bacteria, ultraviolet radiation (sun, solar).

These factors do not trigger the disease in all people, only in those who are susceptible.

It is important to note that the Demodex mite or Helicobacter pylori is not 100% the cause of the disease. Not all patients with rosacea have Demodex. There is also evidence of the presence of Helicobacter pylori in most patients with rosacea, but the existing studies are not sufficient to say that Helicobacter pylori is the cause of rosacea. Moreover, this bacterium does not colonize the skin but the gastric mucosa. The incomplete understanding of the causes of the disease complicates matters.

Rosacea symptoms

In the course of the disease, 4 stages are distinguished. The disease begins with periodic attacks of flushing - mild rosacea. They appear under the influence of provoking factors, are accompanied by fever and disappear within a few minutes or hours. Such attacks recur from time to time.

Then the redness does not disappear, vascular telangiectasias ("asterisks") appear. Instead of redness, a sensation of warmth, burning, sometimes itching (prerosaceous or erythemato-telangiectatic stage) appears. This form is the most common. Often at this stage the dermatosis is called rosacea or couperosis.

Over time, papules and pustules appear at the site of redness (papulo-pustular stage of rosacea).

In the next stage, due to hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands and connective tissue, tumor-like growths form on the nose, forehead, chin and ears. The skin becomes bluish and looks like an orange peel (fibrous stage).

Quite often, rosacea affects the eyes and eyelids (ophthalmic stage). At the same time, dryness of the eyes, foreign body sensation, itching, burning, photophobia, edema, blurred vision.

Rosacea treatment

Despite the complexity of the causes and mechanisms involved in the development of rosacea, this disease is treatable. The main aims of therapy are to reduce the severity of symptoms, achieve remission, improve quality of life and prevent relapse.

Treatment includes:

• adequate skin care;
• drug therapy;
• appliance treatment methods;
• minimizing triggers (provoking factors).

Medications for rosacea

Systemic remedies for rosacea include antibacterial drugs and retinoids.

1. Antibiotics. Metronidazole is prescribed to eradicate the Demodex mite over a course of 4-6 weeks. Doxycycline is needed for papulo-pustular rosacea. Small doses have an anti-inflammatory effect with minimal side effects, the course of treatment is 6-12 weeks.For rosacea, antibiotics are taken in pill form, but in mild cases topical antibiotic ointment can be dispensed. Metronidazole rosacea cream is a classic drug for the treatment of rosacea.
2. Retinoids inhibit inflammation, reduce sebum production and the size of sebaceous glands.

Local treatment of rosacea includes antiseptic lotions (Hyseac purifying lotion). Lotions relieve the unpleasant symptoms of burning, itching, reduce blood flow to the skin.

Hyseac Purifying Toning Lotion, 250 ml, Uriage

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Rosacea creams containing 10-20% azelaic acid (Revox- Just azelaic acid, Ceramol- Spot Block) have also established themselves as a fairly effective remedy for rosacea. Azelaic acid normalizes skin keratinization processes, inhibits skin cell proliferation, has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, reduces pigmentation.

Spot Block azelaic acid topical treatment, 20 ml, Ceramol

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For the treatment of the papulo-pustular form of rosacea, Metroruboril cream is used. The active substances azelaic acid, β-calm complex reduce redness in 4 weeks, improve skin microcirculation, reduce inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules), moisturize and soothe the skin.

Isispharma Metroruboril A.Z Anti-Rose Cream 30 ml,

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According to the latest data, the α-adrenergic agonist, oxymetazoline, is used to treat persistent rosacea. They are approved for use in adults. Topical preparations act on blood vessels, from which the redness disappears after 30 minutes (brimonidine tartrate) or 60 minutes (oxymetazoline).

Cosmetics for rosacea

With rosacea, it is dangerous to underestimate the importance of skin care both during an exacerbation and during remission. Skin should be protected from UV rays, gently cleansed and moisturized.

The best skin care products for rosacea are those that suit the patient and do not aggravate the condition. For cleansing the face, lipid-free lotions with a neutral pH value should be preferred. There are whole lines of dermatocosmetics for skin with rosacea, such as La Roche Posay rosacee.

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intensive Anti-Rose Serum, 40 ml

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Rosacea natural treatment

Green tea

Green tea has been shown to be effective in treating rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Brew a cup of tea, then chill it. Soak a compress in the cold tea and apply to problem areas.

Oats

Oats have soothing properties that can help soothe irritated areas. Use ½ cup of oat bran and ¼ cup of water to make a paste. Apply the resulting paste to problem areas, leave on for about 20 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

Chamomile

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflammation and fade facial redness. Ingredients such as flavonoids also have a soothing effect on the skin.

Honey

Honey is renowned for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is therefore helpful in treating rosacea symptoms.

Massage your skin with natural honey and rinse with lukewarm water after leaving it on for about 20 minutes.

So while rosacea is not a life-threatening condition, it does have negative effects on the quality of life. Although the exact causes are not known and there is no cure, there are certain solutions that relieve the manifestations and therefore a person's quality of life can be improved. Therefore, treatment in the early stages is recommended to keep the symptoms of rosacea under control.