Acne rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that effects around one per cent of the UK population.The majoriti of sufferers are fair-skinned women aged 35-50.
The causes of acne rosacea are unknown but they are thought to include abnormal sensivity of blood capillaries and infection of sebaceous (oil) glands with a skin mite, Demodex folliculorum.
Rosacea tends to recur over a five-to-ten years period, after which it may clear up completely.
SYMPTOMS
There are several ways in which acne resacea is evident.
- Flushing especially after drinking alcohol, eating spicy food, consuming hot drinks or entering a warm room.
- Small pimples.
- Fine, dilated skin capillaries (telangiectasia).
- Left untreated, the skin remains permenantly red with small, pus-filled blisters called pustules.
TREATMENT
Seek medical advise, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or metronidazole gel, or refer you to dermatologist.Avoid stress, hot liquids, spicy foods, alcohol, vigorous exercise and exposure to sunlight.Avoiding tea, chocolate, cheese, yeast extract, eggs, citrus fruits and wheat may help.
Complementary therapies
- Resacea may respond to vitamin B complex.
- Natural antiparasitic agents such as tea tree oil applied to skin may be effective.
- Aleo vera gel helps to reduce inflammation.
