Rosacea
 Rosacea is a chronic disease that affects over 11 million Americans. It is especially prevalent in people with fair skin and often starts with the symptoms of easy flushing and blushing. These episodes of flushing lead to the development of permanent red lines. This vessel visibility is called telangiectasia. There are people who only have this component of the disease and people who have other components of the disease such as pimples, which usually brings them to see us, the dermatologists. Eye doctors also see Rosacea patients since redness and boil-like lesions of the eyelids can occur.
The summertime or the wintertime is often the time when people with Rosacea come to our office for evaluation. That's because extremes of weather, sun exposure and heat causes flairs of this disease, however, weather is not the only contributing factor.
On first examination we often review with patients the various etiologies of Rosacea and the trigger mechanisms. Very often perimenopausal women will develop Rosacea for the first time. This is due to hormonal changes. Often, family history will indicate that Rosacea has been seen in most of the family unit as they approach their 30's and 40's. Although women tend to have Rosacea more than men do, men who develop it are often plagued with a component of the disease called rhinophyma, which is thickening of the nose. This was the WC Fields nose and has often been associated with alcoholism. Although alcohol can trigger Rosacea and often encourages flairs ups, there is no direct known association. Dietary habits are also contributing factors.
Treatments for Rosacea include topical antibacterial agents. Low strength cortisone, which is usually used on a short term basis and oral antibacterial agents which help to control the papules and pustules are usually the treatments of choice. Daily care often includes mild cleansers, moisturizing agents which contain antibacterial components and the use of non-paba containing sunscreens.
Avoidance of excessive drying solutions and hot water also helps. The pimples of Rosacea are usually well controlled with oral antibiotics but the redness and the flushing is the most difficult component of this disease to control. Happily, in the last few months we have seen remarkable improvements with flushing in rosacea patients using the latest in Intense Pulse Light for these vessels on the face. The light source is passed over the facial skin for three to five treatments at three week intervals as part of the Photofacial program. There is virtually no bruising however, as in past therapies, slight redness may be present for up to 24 hours.
Since the disease is chronic, intermittent treatments may be indicated. Many of our patients come once or twice a year for maintenance treatments once the desired effect is achieved.
Rosacea is just one of the skin conditions that we treat in our office. Although we have tried to give you an idea of reasons and treatments for Rosacea, each patient needs to be individually evaluated.
We look forward to hearing from you through our website or by visiting us in the office. Please call 201-265-1300 to arrange your consultation.
For additional information on rosacea visit: www.rosacea.org
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