Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting more than 14 million people in the United States. There are different forms of rosacea. The most common form presents as facial redness over the nose and cheeks. Patients often describe their tendency to flush and blush easily. Other forms of rosacea consist of acne-like breakouts, thickening or “hypertrophy” of oil glands leading to a bulbous nose, and irritation, redness, and swelling of the eyes.
Rosacea often presents between the ages of 30 and 50, and risk factors for this condition include being fair-skinned, blond-haired or blue-eyed and being from Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. Although we don’t know exactly what causes rosacea, family genes, dysregulation of the immune system, and a skin mite called demodex that lives on everyone’s skin may play a role.
Depending on the type of rosacea you have, treatments may be targeted toward improving facial redness, pus bumps, or thickened skin. Treatments might include laser therapy, topical or oral medications, and surgical procedures. Although rosacea is a chronic problem, your symptoms can be improved. Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery looks forward to developing a customized treatment plan to help reduce your rosacea.
