Rosacea is acne?

Rosacea is acne?

Does your facial skin look red and accompanied by small bumps like pimples? If that's the case, then there's a good chance you have Rosacea. Many also say that it is acne Rosacea.

Rosacea

Is it true that Rosacea is an acne skin disease? Is it okay to call it Rosacea acne? Find the answer through this explanation.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that usually occurs on certain parts of the face. Rosacea is generally characterized by red skin and small bumps. The redness on the face can spread to other parts of the face.

Not only the face, the spread of Rosacea can even reach the ears, chest, and back. Rosacea disease can happen to anyone but is most often experienced by white women. Dark skinned people and children rarely experience it.

The prevalence of Rosacea is fairly high, especially among the white race. However, doctors often misdiagnose, so the incidence of Rosacea may be higher than what has been reported.

Does Rosacea include acne?

People often call acne Rosacea, so there is a perception that Rosacea is one of the types of facial acne. Indeed, there is a certain type of Rosacea that is often called acne Rosacea.

However, it is a mistake to think of Rosacea as acne, eczema, or an allergic skin reaction. So, it is not correct to call acne Rosacea or acne Rosacea because Rosacea is not an acne even though the symptoms of both are almost similar.

Types of Rosacea

There are many types of Rosacea, but among them there are 4 main types of Rosacea. It is possible, a person can suffer from more than 1 type of Rosacea. Each type of Rosacea has slightly different symptoms.

The following are some types of Rosacea:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea is also known as Rosacea type 1. People who experience this type of Rosacea, the face will appear reddish, so that the blood vessels are visible.

2. Papulopustular Rosacea

The second type of rosacea is papulopustular rosacea. This second type is what may often be referred to as acne Rosacea because it has symptoms that look like facial acne. However, it is not acne.

3. Rhinophyma Rosacea

There is also a type of Rosacea disease called Rhinophyma Rosacea. This third type is quite rare but is often experienced by men. Usually, sufferers of Rhinophyma Rosacea have thickening of the skin on the nose, so that the skin texture is like bumpy.

4. Ocular Rosacea

It is called Okular Rosacea because the symptoms are centered around the eyes. The eyes are red, irritated, and the eyelids swell.

Apart from the four types of Rosacea disease, there is one more type, namely Steroid Rosacea. This type is not included in the main, but you need to know that there is a type of Rosacea that occurs due to the use of corticosteroid drugs.

Causes of Rosacea

The exact cause of Rosacea is still unknown. However, the incidence of Rosacea is related to several things, such as:

1. Family history

Rosacea sufferers usually also have family members who previously had Rosacea. So, it is possible if Rosacea is genetically inherited.

2. Immune system

Research has found that people with Rosacea are linked to certain bacteria. These bacteria cause the immune system to overreact, resulting in redness on the face.

3. Bacteria

The cause of Rosacea has to do with the appearance of H. pylori bacteria in the intestines. The presence of these bacteria invites a response to digestive hormones which results in facial skin becoming red.

4. Mites

Mites can be on the skin of the face. These small insects are actually not dangerous if they are still in small numbers. However, it can be detrimental if the amount is more than usual. Excessive numbers of mites can irritate the skin of the face and rosacea appears.

5. Problems with blood vessels on the face

Rosacea can also occur due to problems related to blood vessels in the face. The face that continues to be exposed to the sun can cause dilation and damage to the blood vessels, making them easily visible.

6. Use of cathelicidin

Cathelicidin is a protein-containing substance commonly used to protect the skin from infection. Its use can cause Rosacea indirectly.

The following are some risk factors for Rosacea:

• Adult female

• The white race (Northern Europe) and its descendants

• Frequent exposure to sunlight

• Between 30-50 years old

• Have a smoking habit

• Family history of Rosacea

• Have a lot of acne, especially if it's severe

There are several things that can make Rosacea worse. Avoid some of these things. Here are some triggers that can make Rosacea worse:

• Hot food or drink

• Spicy food

• Caffeinated drinks

• Milk and its derivatives

• Extreme temperatures

• Bask in the hot sun

• Stress, anxiety, anger, shame

• Strenuous and high-intensity exercise

• Hot shower

• Use of corticosteroid drugs

• Consuming alcohol

Symptoms of Rosacea

A common symptom in most people with Rosacea is redness of the skin. However, each type of Rosacea has some distinctive symptoms.

Here are some of the symptoms of Rosacea by type:

1. Symptoms of Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

Here are some of the symptoms of Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea:

• Facial skin redness in certain parts

• Visible blood vessels on the face

• Swollen skin

• Skin becomes sensitive

• Burning or stinging sensation

• Dry and scaly skin

• Facial skin flushes easily

2. Symptoms of Papulopustular Rosacea

Some of the symptoms of Papulopustular Rosacea or commonly called acne Rosacea:

• There are many small pimples like pimples

• Visible blood vessels on the face

• Oily skin

• There is a burning or stinging sensation

• Oily facial skin

• Spots appear on the skin

3. Symptoms of Rhinophyma Rosacea

Rhinophyma Rosacea types consist of:

• Thickening of the skin, especially in the nose and followed in other parts

• Wavy skin texture

• Visible broken blood vessels

• Enlarged facial pores

• Oily facial skin

4. Symptoms of Ocular Rosacea

Some of the symptoms of Ocular Rosacea:

• Reddened skin

• Very dry and itchy eyes

• Eyes are sensitive to light

• Eyes feel like gritty

• Burning or stinging eyes

• Visible broken blood vessels in the eyelids

• There are cysts on the eyelids

• Decreased visual acuity

Diagnosis of Rosacea

There are certain actions that will be taken by doctors to establish a diagnosis of Rosacea. The doctor will diagnose Rosacae by digging up the patient's health information and performing a physical examination of the skin.

If necessary, the patient will undergo several tests to rule out other possible dermatitis problems, such as acne, eczema, allergies, psoriasis, and others. If the patient has ocular rosacea, an eye examination is necessary.

Rosacea Complications

Rosacea sufferers who are not treated immediately can experience certain complications. Some complications that may occur, including:

• Enlargement of oil glands on the face

• Visual disturbances in Ocular Rosacea

• Feelings of frustration and shame

• Fear and worry every time you want to consume or apply something because it can be a trigger

•Lack of confidence

• Difficulty getting a job or staying in the office

• Depression or other mental disorders

Rosacea Treatment

There is no cure for Rosacea yet. However, even though there is no cure for Rosacea, sufferers still have to take certain treatments to relieve symptoms so they don't get worse.

Here are some treatment measures for Rosacea sufferers:

1. Use of the drug Rosacea

There are several types of Rosacea drugs that are symptomatic, which only relieves the symptoms and does not cure the disease. Rosacea drugs (symptomatic) can be in the form of topical and oral.

In topical dosage forms, namely in the form of a gel. How to use it by applying on the face. There are drugs that are useful for shrinking blood vessels and there are also drugs to relieve skin redness and acne.

Oral drugs used are antibiotics that are useful for killing certain bacteria associated with Rosacea, such as H. pylori bacteria or bacteria that cause excess acne.

2. Laser therapy

Rosacea symptoms can also be relieved by taking laser action. Laser therapy can help reduce redness of the skin caused by enlarged blood vessels.

Rosacea Prevention

Rosacea can not be prevented because the cause is not yet known with certainty. What you can do is prevent Rosacea from getting worse, by immediately taking some treatment and avoiding triggers so that Rosacea doesn't get worse.

 

 

Source:

1. MayoClinic: Rosacea. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815 [accessed July 16, 2019]

2. AAD: ROSACEA: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/rosacea#symptoms [accessed July 16, 2019]

3. MedicalNewsToday: What is rosacea? Christian Nordqvist. 2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160281.php [accessed July 16, 2019]

4. MayoClinic: Rosacea. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353820 [accessed July 16, 2019]

5. WebMD: What Is Rosacea? https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-rosacea-basics#1 [accessed July 16, 2019]

6. Healthline: Rosacea: Types, Causes, and Remedies. https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/rosacea#types [accessed July 16, 2019]

7. NHS: Rosacea. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rosacea/ [accessed July 16, 2019]

8. Canadian Dermatology Association: Rosacea. https://dermatology.ca/public-patients/skin/rosacea/ [accessed July 16, 2019]

9. MedicineNet: Rosacea. Gary W. https://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/article.htm#rosacea_facts [accessed July 16, 2019]

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