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Rosacea is an incurable skin condition, doctors are not sure what actually causes rosacea. The condition is most common in women between the age of 30-40 but it can affect men and other age groups too, although women are more common rosacea sufferers, men tend to suffer worse symptoms.

People in the early stages of rosacea may notice a tendency to blush more easily and suffer persistent redness. The redness sufferers experience is due to dilation of blood vessels in the face, although rosacea can effect other parts of the body too. The condition can cause many sufferers problems in work, at home and in their social life. Many rosacea sufferers avoid contact with new people and feel very embarrassed by their condition.

The condition will get worse if not treated so if you think you maybe a rosacea sufferer it is advisable to seek medical advice/help. The illness comes in a few different formats as detailed below.

Ocular Rosacea

This is the least common form of the illness, symptoms include a sensation of grit in the eye or a dry, burning sensation. Eyelids may become swollen, inflamed, sore and sometimes scaly.

Vascular Rosacea

Formally called erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, is a form of the illness which occurs when small blood vessels become visible, also known as telangieotasia, this can happen anywhere on the body but is most common on the chin, nose and cheeks.

Advanced Strains

If left untreated rosacea can develop into more serious strains, phymatous rosacea which causes rhinophyma (a thickening of the skin) and Inflammatory rosacea, formally called papulopustular rosacea.

Treatment

Rosacea is commonly treated with long term antibiotics, sufferers are prescribed a high dosage to begin with and this is reduced as the illness is brought under control. Some sufferers are however not keen on taking long term antibiotic courses and make dietary changes to try and bring their condition under control, this can be a very successful way to treat the illness.

Dietary Triggers

Know triggers for worsening the condition include alcohol, spicy foods, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, so cutting these out of your diet will be a good start to getting your condition under control.

An anti-inflammatory diet can also be adopted, this involves consuming foods rich in vitamin A, Riboflavin and essential fatty acids like Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9. Consumption of flaxseed has also been proven to help reduce rosacea outbreaks.

Some research also suggests rosacea could be caused by a hydrochloric acid deficiency, a link has been found between a deficiency in Hydrochloric acid, (Hypocloridia) secretion in the stomach and the onset of redness for sufferers.

This article was provided by Pulse Light Clinic, a London clinic specialising in rosacea treatment through diet, laser and pulse light therapy.