What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin redness, broken red blood vessels, acne-like pustules, red bumps, and thickened skin. It’s usually diagnosed between the ages of 30-50 and although it affects both genders, it’s more common in women and especially people with fair-colored skin. Some 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea, with the effects being psychological as well as physical. 76% of sufferers experienced negative effects on confidence and self-esteem, 70% report negative effects on their careers with 30% reporting they had missed work due to the physical effects of rosacea (source: National Rosacea Society).
What causes rosacea?
The real cause of rosacea is unknown, but research has shown that rosacea is related to:
- Family history
- Exposure to sunlight
- Exposure to heat
- Alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Eating spicy foods
- Sun damage
- Propensity to flush
Rosacea Treatments
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition, so you once you establish control through treatments and lifestyle changes, periodic maintenance treatments are important to continue control of the rosacea problem. We use BBL (broad band light) to clear redness, broken blood vessels, bumps and pustules. The erbium resurfacing laser is also used to treat thickened skin. Skin care products can also be used effectively in the maintenance regimen. Rosacea is commonly treated with both oral and topical antibiotics, but since oral antibiotics can create problems with tolerance and resistance, they are usually not used long-term. If you would like to better manage your rosacea and reduce the negative effects on your quality of life, call and set up a consult with Dr. Mudd.
For more information on Broad Band Light, follow this link.
