Rosacea : An Overlooked Skin Condition
15 Mar 2008
What did former President Bill Clinton have to blush about? We all know the answer to that delicate question! Like Princess Diana, Rosie O’Donnell and the comedian W.C. Fields also suffered from Rosacea. This April is designated Rosacea month, in an effort to alert people to the warning signs of this condition and the importance of early treatment. Red may be the colour of love, but this is one flush people would prefer not to show.
The general public and sometimes doctors, confuse Rosacea with acne, seborrheic dermatitis or lupus. Fortunately, Rosacea is not life-threatening, but the flushing episodes are socially embarrassing and in some instances their psychological impact can be devastating.
Some patients shy away from social contacts when pustules appear on their face and feel that this facial disfigurement makes them less attractive sexually. Or they believe their unsightly appearance will impede their career.
It’s estimated that about 25 million North Americans suffer from Rosacea and that many cases go undiagnosed. The condition develops slowly, occurring in people between 30 and 50 years of age, who are fair-skinned and usually of northern and European descent. Neither sex is immune, but women are more susceptible than men. Rosacea tends to increase over time with males more likely to suffer from W.C. Field’s red bulbous nose.
The first sign of Rosacea is the appearance of rosy cheeks. In some cases the face, nose and forehead develop red patches that eventually fail to subside. Later as the disease progresses, small red, solid pimples appear that may resemble acne. But blackheads and whiteheads are not seen as in acne.
There are often periods of remission, followed by flare-ups and a worsening of the condition. Later, enlarged blood vessels called telangiectasia form on the face and may have a web-like appearance.
W. C. the late comedian, used to say, "I’ve no use for water. Water’s for flowing under bridges." It was a good line implying he was a heavy drinker and it triggered a lot of stage laughs. Since that time his huge bulbous nose has been linked with excessive drinking. Alcohol can aggravate Rosacea, but a flaming red nose can also occur in those who do not consume alcohol.
Exposure to sunlight, extreme cold, wind, spicy foods, hot liquids and especially red wine may cause a flare up of Rosacea. Stress is also believed to be a factor.
If you suspect you have Rosacea be sure to consult your doctor. The early stages of Rosacea are deceptive. Many people write off the facial flush simply as a complexion problem and fail to receive early treatment. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Rosacea, but there are a number of ways to tame the symptoms.
How Rosacea is treated depends on the severity of the symptoms. Some doctors prescribe topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin, which is applied directly to the skin. In more severe cases oral antibiotics such as minocycline, erythromycin and doxycycline are commonly used for this condition. The infected pimples usually respond quickly to treatment, however, redness and flushing are less likely to improve.
Today an increasing number of readers ask me to suggest natural ways to treat medical conditions. In this case there is a unique anti-redness and natural remedy called, "Rosacure +".
Dr. Barry Lycka, dermatologist and head of The Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association says, " I often recommend Rosacure + as a preventive and corrective measure for Rosacea. It has a unique formula with powerful antioxidants, anti-aging ingredients along with highly effective moisturizers that help reduce the facial redness of Rosacea."
Rosacure + contains Silymarin, obtained from the seeds of the milk thistle plant, a herbal remedy that’s been used for over 2,000 years. In addition, Rosacure + contains a sulphur compound, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), that occurs naturally in the human body and in some foods. It helps to quench the inflammation associated with this disease.
Rosacure + is applied sparingly to the skin twice a day with results appearing in two to three weeks. Rosacure + is fragrance and alcohol free and in Canada can be found at the cosmetic counter of all major drugstores. In the U.S. it’s sold exclusively at the doctor’s office.
