All Topics

Profile: Rosacea.

Definition: Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that can manifest in four different forms: vascular, ocular, papulopustular, or hypertrophic. The common denominator among these four forms is the presence of facial redness, due to an exaggerated reaction of the blood vessels, but other symptoms may also appear. Vascular rosacea, also known as couperose, is the most common form, characterized by small red blood vessels (telangiectasias) that become visible under the skin, hot flashes, heightened skin sensitivity, and persistent redness in the central area of the face. Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by the appearance of skin lesions, typically inflamed papules and/or pustules on the skin surface in addition to redness. It is sometimes mistaken for acne. Rosacea can also be accompanied by ocular involvement (ocular rosacea), and sometimes precedes skin symptoms. It presents as conjunctivitis, eye irritation, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), watery red eye (conjunctival hyperemia), burning sensation, dryness with a feeling of a foreign body in the eyes, and light sensitivity (photophobia). Lastly, hypertrophic rosacea is considered a complication. It is identified by a red and swollen appearance of the nose tip (rhinophyma), dilation of the sebaceous gland openings, and skin thickening. This is the rarest form, affecting less than 5% of rosacea patients, and predominantly affects men over 50 years of age.

Internal and external causes: Genetic predisposition, disruption of the skin's immune system, excessive presence of skin mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis) and certain bacteria, abnormal functioning of blood vessels, and dysfunction of the Meibomian glands located at the edge of the eyelids (ocular rosacea).

How to reduce or eliminate: Consult a dermatologist; Vascular form (rosacea): brimonidine (topical application gel), electrocoagulation, laser treatment for visible vessels; Papulopustular form: oral tetracycline family antibiotic (doxycycline), 0.75% metronidazole cream or gel, 15% azelaic acid cream, 0.1% adapalene cream (retinoid derivative), ivermectin cream, isotretinoin; Ocular form: antibiotic eye drops; Hypertrophic form: surgery and laser.

Preventative steps to take: Avoid engaging in sports that require intense physical effort; limit the consumption of spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages; avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths; protect yourself from the sun by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily; minimize sun exposure; protect your face from the cold and wind during winter; use lukewarm water when cleansing your face; regularly apply a moisturizer with a light texture; prefer a no-rinse micellar water for cleansing and makeup removal; avoid grainy scrubs; adopt a simple cosmetic routine with fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and corticosteroid-free products that can dry out the skin; cleanse the face without scrubbing; avoid the use of powders and oily foundations.