How to get rid of acne rosacea?
Acne rosacea, often simply called rosacea, is a chronic skin condition that mainly affects fair-skinned adults and women. fair hair. It is characterized by inflammation of the face, leading to persistent redness, swelling of the skin, and a lack of elasticity. red buttons and sometimes small pustules.
There are many forms of rosacea, and it's crucial to understand the specifics of each to tailor the right local treatment. Here's a complete guide to understanding and treating acne rosacea.
What is acne rosacea?
Acne rosacea, commonly known as rosacea, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the face. It most frequently affects fair-skinned adults, often between the ages of 30 and 50, and is more common in women than in men. However, the most severe forms tend to occur in men. Unlike juvenile acne, rosacea does not produce comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).
Symptoms of acne rosacea
Rosacea symptoms vary depending on the clinical form, but generally include:
- Persistent redness: Frequent redness (erythema) appears on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.
- Red pimples: Acne-like papules and pustules may appear.
- Visible small vessels: Telangiectasias, or dilated small blood vessels, are often visible in affected areas.
- Thickening of the skin: in severe cases, particularly in men, the skin of the nose may thicken (rhinophyma), giving a bulbous appearance.
- Ocular symptoms: Approximately 50% of rosacea sufferers experience ocular symptoms such as dryness, irritation, swollen eyelids and sensitivity to light.
Triggering factors
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but several factors contribute to its development:
- Genetic factors: A family history of rosacea may increase the risk.
- Abnormal immune reactions: An excessive immune response to mites or bacteria on the skin may play a role.
- Blood vessel abnormalities: Problems with the blood vessels in the face can contribute to persistent redness.
- Environmental factors: Sun exposure, extreme temperatures, alcohol, spicy foods and stress can trigger or aggravate symptoms.
The different types of acne rosacea
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or vascular rosacea
Characteristics: This form is mainly marked by diffuse redness and dilated blood vessels. Those affected may feel a sensation of heat or burning on the affected skin.
Symptoms :
- Persistent redness (erythema) on the face, especially cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.
- Appearance of small visible blood vessels (telangiectasias).
- Burning or tingling sensation.
2. Papulopustular rosacea
Characteristics: This type of rosacea is often confused with juvenile acne, although there are no comedones (blackheads or whiteheads). Inflammatory skin eruptions are present in the same areas as the vascular form.
Symptoms :
- Red pimples (papules) and pustules resembling acne.
- Persistent redness.
3. Hypertrophic rosacea (phymatous)
Characteristics: Hypertrophic rosacea is more common in men. It is characterized by thickened skin and dilated sebaceous glands, mainly on the nose, but also on the chin, forehead, cheeks and ears.
Symptoms :
- Thickening of the skin, particularly on the nose (rhinophyma).
- Lumpy, rough appearance of the skin.
4. Ocular rosacea
Characteristics: Ocular rosacea affects the eyes and eyelids. It may precede or accompany the skin symptoms of rosacea. Ocular symptoms can range from mild to severe, and often require consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Symptoms :
- Eye redness and irritation.
- Dry eyes.
- Sensation of a foreign body in the eye.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Swollen and inflamed upper eyelids (blepharitis).
5. Granulomatous rosacea
Characteristics : This rarer form of rosacea is characterized by resistant granulomatous nodules that can lead to scarring. Lesions are often located around the eyes and mouth.
Symptoms :
- Solid red, brown or yellow nodules or papules.
- Skin thickened and often permanently affected.
What's the difference between acne and acne rosacea?
Acne is a common skin condition characterized by the presence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules (red pimples) and pustules (pus-filled spots). It occurs mainly in teenagers and young adults, due to overproduction of sebum, obstruction of hair follicles and the growth of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. Hormonal factors, such as puberty and hormonal fluctuations, as well as genetic factors, play an important role in its development.
Acne rosacea, on the other hand, is characterized by the absence of comedones. It manifests as persistent redness (erythema) on the face, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. It may also present with papules and pustules (papulo-pustular rosacea), but without the comedones typical of juvenile acne. Rosacea generally affects adults, mainly between the ages of 30 and 50, and can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as sun exposure, extreme temperatures, alcohol and stress. The exact causes of rosacea are not fully understood, but are linked to chronic skin inflammation and vascular hypersensitivity, as well as genetic factors and abnormal immune responses.
Rosacea treatment
In terms of management, acne is often treated with topical medications such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxides and topical antibiotics, as well as oral antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline for more severe cases. Laser and light therapies are also used to treat persistent acne scars.
Treatment of acne rosacea, on the other hand, involves the use of topical medications such as metronidazole, azelaic acid and ivermectin to reduce inflammation and redness. Oral antibiotics, mainly tetracyclines, may be prescribed to control more severe symptoms. Laser and pulsed light therapies are also used to reduce redness and visible blood vessels on the affected skin.
In the case of ocular rosacea, specific eye care treatments such as artificial tears and warm water compresses may be recommended to relieve the associated ocular symptoms.
In conclusion, although acne and acne rosacea may present similar skin symptoms such as red pimples, their clinical features, underlying causes and treatment approaches are distinct. It's essential to consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your specific condition.