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Video Description:
Rosacea. Timothy Jochen, M.D., of Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California, discusses rosacea, a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes facial redness. Dr. Jochen explains that while the causes of rosacea are not well understood, rosacea treatments are available. Dr. Jochen describes the symptoms of rosacea, which most often appears on the face.

No one prefers having scaly or uneven toned skin. We all want youthful, beautiful skin for life. But this desire does not come in that easily sometimes because of disease like Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that affects the middle third of the face with constant redness over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush: mainly the forehead, the chin and the lower half of the nose. The tiny blood vessels in these areas get bigger and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines. Pimples can occur that look like teenage acne. When rosacea first develops, it may appear, then disappear, and then reappear. However, in time the skin fails to return to its normal color and the big blood vessels and pimples arrive. Rosacea rarely goes back itself. It lasts for years and if left untreated it becomes fatal.

Untreated rosacea can cause a condition called rhinophyma which is a growth of the nose, described by a large red nose and puffy cheeks. There may also be thick bumps on the lower half of the nose and the nearby cheek areas. Rhinophyma occurs mainly in men. Another affect of rosacea is it attacks the eyes. About half of all people with rosacea feel burning and tightness of the eyes. If this is not treated, this problem may damage vision. Rosacea can be treated but not cured. Medications for acne can be a hazard as they can irritate the skin. Topical antibiotics such as ointments and oral antibiotics are often used.

Avoiding smoking and food and drink such as spicy food, hot beverages and alcoholic drinks that cause flushing helps minimize the blood vessel enlargement. Limiting exposure to sunlight and to extreme hot and cold temperatures also helps relieve rosacea. Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may aggravate redness and swelling. Facial products such as soap, moisturizers and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has applied to the skin.