Everything you need to know about Rosacea

If you are suffering from a persistent patch of inflamed red skin, you are not alone. According to the Canadian Society of Acne Rosacea 3 million Canadians A chronic skin condition that lives with rosacea, causing excessive redness, swelling, and discomfort around the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.

Interview with dermatologist Dr. Renita Ahluwalia Canadian Dermatology ClinicAnd co-founder Dr. Julia Carroll Compass dermatology In Toronto, about the details of the condition and their best advice on how to handle and manage it.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea (pronounced row-zay-sha) is the most common chronic skin condition on the cheeks and nose (although it can also affect the chin, ears, scalp, forehead, and chest). .. Symptoms include redness, flushing, excessive blush, swelling, dilation of blood vessels, papules (swelling of red ridges) and pustules (swelling of pus-filled ridges). WRosacea often looks like acne at first glance, and acne and acne do not occur in this condition.more If advanced, it can also cause skin thickening and sometimes affect the eyes (” Rosacea)Make them red, itchy and grainy.

Rosacea has many invisible symptoms such as sensitive skin, and there is a burning sensation and a tingling sensation around the affected area. Although not life-threatening, rosacea causes inflammation (which activates the immune system and repels foreign invaders), and chronic inflammation can damage tissues and organs in the long run. I have. This means that managing the symptoms of rosacea is important for maintaining overall health.

Rosacea can be experienced by anyone, but it is more common in women aged 30 to 50 with clean skin. When men develop rosacea, they tend to have more severe symptoms than women, Carroll said.

Rosacea also sacrifices mental health, which in turn can exacerbate the condition. Patients are often self-conscious about their skin, says Ahluwalia, and stress is a common trigger for relapse of rosacea. Flare-ups occur when the symptoms of rosacea worsen for a period of time (usually 1-3 months), and even patients with controlled rosacea can experience them several times a year. ..

What is the cause of rosacea?

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. It is believed that this condition has a hereditary component. People with a family history are more likely to develop it. Even if you have rosacea in your family but are not currently experiencing it, Carroll recommends wearing sunscreen daily and using gentle skin care products. This helps delay the onset of symptoms. Ahluwalia also states that people with rosacea tend to have frequent migraine or migraine family histories, but the link is not yet understood by the medical community.

Common triggers include stress, alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, excessive heat and exposure to sunlight. The cause of flare up varies from person to person. “Each trigger does not have the same effect on each rosacea patient,” says Carroll. “More triggered by one, less triggered by another.” Part of the journey is to understand what triggers you and what doesn’t.

How is Rosacea treated?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that cannot be cured. However, it is important to seek medical help. Relapses and symptoms can be managed with the help of a dermatologist who creates a personalized treatment plan. “People with rosacea always participate in some treatment program,” says Carroll. Some people can take a “holiday” from their treatment plan when their symptoms are subdued (which should be decided with the advice of a medical professional) and return to a dermatologist only when necessary, while others treat it. Some people continue to do so for a long time. semester.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the patient’s rosacea, but overall, topical creams, oral medications, laser treatment, and Understand (and avoid) individual triggers. It may take some time to identify the factors that can cause rosacea, However, it is very important to have an effective treatment plan. If you don’t know what the trigger is, Ahluwalia always recommends avoiding common causes and working with a dermatologist to come up with a skin care routine and dosing plan (if needed) to manage the symptoms. ..

Topical creams use active ingredients such as azelaic acid (which helps with hyperpigmentation caused by papules and acne), ivermectin, and metronidazole (both known for their anti-inflammatory properties). Oral drugs usually contain antibiotics from a class of chemicals called tetracycline that fight inflammation. Laser treatments and broadband lights can also help treat the symptoms of rosacea, but they are expensive. One treatment session costs about $ 500 and requires a minimum of 3-6 sessions to notice improvement. (In some cases, these treatments are covered by insurance.) “Through a multi-layered approach with skin care, prescriptions, and office procedures, people can often get great results,” she says. ..

What would my skin care routine look like if I had rosacea?

A simple skin care routine is key. “I don’t want to use too much harsh active ingredients, [like retinol or chemical exfoliators]”Ahluwalia warns.Soothing cleansers, mild vitamin C serum to reduce redness, lightweight moisturizers, and daily Mineral sunscreen (In contrast to chemical filters that contain mineral-based filters such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that absorb UV light and convert it to heat, those that reflect UV light from the skin) are a staple of alcoholic people. ..

Rosacea-prone skin is sensitive and certain ingredients can further irritate it.Products Alpha-hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid (Contains common active substances such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid) should be used with caution. If you want to incorporate these into your skin care routine, do it gradually and work in small increments at a time, says Ahluwalia. The same applies to exfoliating scrubs. Scrubs can irritate the skin and remove the necessary water. She also recommends avoiding the use of products containing retinol and scents.

What is the best way to hide it without exacerbating the symptoms?

Ahluwalia recommends using mineral-based makeup [from brands like BareMinerals and Ilia, for example]Adding a product with a shade of green will help counteract the redness associated with rosacea. When applying make-up, it is important to remove it properly. Instead of wiping the face roughly, dissolve the makeup with micellar water and then cleanse the face with a gentle moisturizing cleanser and cold water. Ahluwalia recommends choosing a cleanser with a pH of 5.5 [such as Fresh’s cult Soy Face Cleanser or La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser]This is similar to your skin.