| By :
Nick Messe
If you have unusually red facial skin you may have rosacea. The good news is that in recent years, awareness of the condition has grown. It is better understood, and effective remedies are now available. Rosacea is a skin condition characterized by extreme inflammation, bright red visible capillaries, and acne-like bumps on the skin of the face. Many patients also have a bulbous red nose- referred to in medical terms as rhynophyma. Usually rosacea is clustered on the cheeks, nose, and chin, and can be accompanied by irritated, watery eyes. The condition affects over 16 million Americans. More than 40% of them report that their red skin has a serious effect on their self-esteem, sometimes causing them to avoid social and professional events. The precise cause of rosacea has yet to be pinpointed. For those who have rosacea, the blood vessels in the face dilate too rapidly as a response to various triggers. These trigger factors may include bacteria carried on common skin mites, sun damage to connective tissue just below the skin's surface, or abnormal sensitivity of the immune system. Many patients report that certain foods, stress, activities and even medications can cause rosacea to flare up. Understanding and Coping with Rosacea Rosacea is a chronic condition, which unfortunately, tends to worsen over the years. This makes early diagnosis and treatment absolutely essential for managing symptoms as it tends to be more responsive to medical intervention in its early stages. Rosacea is also cyclical, meaning that most patients experience flare-ups followed by periods of time when it is very mild. Determining what factors trigger flare-ups for you can help you make lifestyle changes that keep your symptoms in check. Common rosacea triggers include: - Spicy foods
- Extreme heat
- Strenuous activity
- Stress or fatigue
- Sunlight
- Medications known as vasodilators, which cause dilation of the blood vessels
- Hot baths and showers
- Alcohol Topical Treatment Options Until now, topical treatments were usually limited to antibiotic creams, tretinoin, benzyl peroxide, and azelaic acid. Most were intended to reduce inflammation and reduce the number of acne-like lesions that plague those with rosacea. They worked in varying degrees, but a new generation of topical creams is surpassing their ability to clear the red skin of rosacea while offering additional beautifying benefits. The secret of this new generation of topical rosacea treatments are plant growth hormones called cytokinins. Cytokinins stimulate cellular renewal, soothe inflammation, and help the skin to retain moisture - actually repairing the tissue, rather than just suppressing symptoms. The powerful antioxidant action of this type of treatment is not only an ideal answer to the sun sensitivity of rosacea; it is an anti-aging powerhouse. Fine lines and wrinkles seemed to be airbrushed away, age spots faded and even disappeared, and sagging skin was noticeably firmed. They are exceptionally gentle for sensitive skin, making them ideal for the long term treatment required for rosacea. Moreover, they are fast-acting. In clinical trials, cytokinin-based topical creams were effective for 80% of subjects, with visible results apparent in just a few weeks. They may just be the most exciting new treatment option to come along in over a decade.
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