Living With Rosacea Successfully

Rosacea is a skin condition that is often assumed to be acne or a sign of alcoholism. Some physicans think it is a vascular problem at core. For people who have this skin condition, it is very challenging. It is a chronic medical problem with no cure at this time. The symptoms are real and can cause emotional struggles and can be quite physically painful as well. However, many times the symptoms of rosacea can be treated or minimized.

What are the signs of a person with rosacea? If you experience any of the following signs, you should consult a dermatologist. 1) Red or inflamed areas on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin 2) Visible blood vessels in the facial area 3) Pimples or bumpy areas on the face (other than whiteheads or blackheads) 4) Prolonged flushing where the blush doesn't go back to normal in a normal amount of time 5) Watery eyes or irritated eyes in conjunction with the symptoms mentioned above 6) Thickening of the skin (occasionally) 7) Swelling of facial areas 8) Over time, the nose may appear extremely red and bulbous, especially in older men, also known as rhinophyma 9) Sometimes rosacea appears on the chest, scalp, ears, or neck 10) Facial burning sensation, sometimes very intense and painful

The cause of rosacea is not known. It seems to show up in both women and men sometime between 20 and 40 years of age. Women can sometimes become housebound if their rosacea isn't controlled. They might become ashamed and embarrassed by the ruddy appearance of their facial skin. Men are sometimes emotionally affected as well.

First and foremost to cope with rosacea, see a dermatologist who has helped others with this skin disorder. Rosacea can go into remission if you are careful to adhere to the plan recommended by your doctor. There are several lifestyle changes that can be made to ensure that the flares of rosacea won't occur as often or as severely. Limit your exposure to sun and wind. Try to keep stress levels at a low and make lifestyle changes accordingly to accommodate that. Avoid alcohol, hot drinks & spicy foods. If you enjoy a bath, use warm or cool water instead of really hot water. Try low-impact forms of exercise instead of high impact ones, which can bring on a prolonged facial flush. Try to exercise in cooler conditions or air conditioned rooms. Hot weather will worsen rosacea signs.

Some people with rosacea have tried and claim some relief with creams containing green tea, Chrysanthellum Indicum, Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), or Azelaic Acid have been reported to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and red capillaries.

Some people who suffer from rosacea react to hot beverages or spicy food. If this is true for you, try warm beverages and not so spicy food.

For cosmetics I like natural mineral makeup. Wearing a green color corrector type product as a base under foundation helps as green counteracts the red of the skin and works as camouflage it so it looks more natural. Try a very mild facial cleanser such as Oil of Olay sensitive skin facial cloths or Dove's version. Do not use abrasive scrubs or astringent type products. I like using for moisture Neutrogena's oil free moisturizer, and sometimes use pure emu oil.

Instead of a razor, men should opt for an electric razor to minimize irritation. Follow up with a gentle light non-scented moisturizer.

Rosacea can be a debilitating skin disorder, but it doesn't have to be. With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, it can greatly help reduce symptoms.

Article by: RachelRae | Total views: 118 | Word Count: 611

About the Author

By Rachel V. Rae had beautiful skin as a teenager, then in midlife developed skin rosacea . She writes to teach people about this obscure skin condition and the beauty obsticles it presents.