Rosacea

There are 4 types of rosacea. But you can have symptoms of more than one type at the same time. The types of rosacea are:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. With this type, you have long-lasting redness on your face. Small blood vessels under your skin get larger and more visible. Your symptoms often come and go. Without treatment, the redness can get worse or even become permanent.
• Papulopustular rosacea. This causes pus-filled “whiteheads” as well as swollen red bumps that look a lot like acne. Often, they show up on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, but they can also affect your scalp, chest, or neck. Your face may also be red or flushed. If you have a serious case, these symptoms can take a while to get better.
• Phymatous rosacea. With this rare type, your skin gets thick and scarred. This form of rosacea most often affects your nose, and can make it look swollen, bumpy, and sometimes discolored.
• Ocular rosacea. This type of rosacea affects your eyes, causing them to feel irritated and look bloodshot or watery. Your eyes become dry and sensitive, and you may get cysts on your eyelids.

It’s not known what causes rosacea, but some triggers can make symptoms worse. Common triggers for rosacea include:

• alcohol
• spicy foods
• cheese
• caffeine
• hot drinks
• aerobic exercise like running

Rosacea cannot be cured but treatment from a GP can help control the symptoms. It can get worse if it’s not treated.

A GP may suggest:

• prescriptions for creams and gels you put on your skin
• taking antibiotics for 6 to 16 weeks
• IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment – this may not be available on the NHS

The GP may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) if treatments are not working.

Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it’s not contagious. But there are things you can try to help with symptoms.

If you know that a trigger, for example alcohol or spicy food, makes symptoms worse, try to avoid it as much as possible.

Do:

• wear a high SPF sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day
• try to avoid heat, sunlight or humid conditions if possible
• try to cover your face in cold weather
• use gentle skincare products for sensitive skin
• clean your eyelids at least once a day if you have blepharitis
• take steps to manage stress

Don’t

• do not drink alcohol
• do not have hot drinks
• do not have too much caffeine (found in tea, coffee and chocolate)
• do not eat cheese
• do not eat spicy food
• do not do too much aerobic exercise, like running

• consultation by dermatologist in CIDK
• IPL or BBL phototherapy
• Mesotherapy
• PRP
• Beauty routine