What is Acne Rosacea?

Acne Rosacea (commonly called Rosacea) is a a chronic inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin. This causes facial redness, a rough complexion, and small acne-like eruptions on the cheeks, forehead and nose. Unless it affects the eyes, it is typically a harmless cosmetic condition, as the redness is semi-permanent. However, red gritty eyes, burning and stinging sensations, and in some advanced cases, a red, bulbous nose (rhinophyma), may develop due to thickening and swelling of the skin.

Rosacea primarily affects fair-skinned Caucasians primarily of northwestern European descent and is so prevalent in people from Britain and Ireland, it has been nicknamed the ‘curse of the Celts.’ It is by no means limited to any nationality. It can also affect people of virtually any other ethnicity. Rosacea affects both sexes, but is almost three times more common in women. It’s peak age of onset is between 30 and 60.

Symptoms can include:

• Frequent redness of the face, or flushing


• Small, red lines under the skin


• Acne


• A swollen nose


• Thick skin, usually on the forehead, chin, cheeks and nose


• Red, dry, itchy eyes and sometimes vision problems

Causes of Rosacea

The causes of rosacea are not fully known. There is much speculation, however.

• It has been noticed that patients with rosacea had elevated levels of the peptide cathelicidin and elevated levels of stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTEs). Antibiotics have been used in the past to treat rosacea but they may only work because they inhibit some SCTEs.
• It has also been hypothesized that rosacea is a neurological disorder, resulting from hypersensitization of sensory neurons by bradykinin following activation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system due to exposure to intestinal bacteria in the digestive tract. This hypersensitivity then produces neurogenic inflammation upon dermal stimulation, causing the flushing symptoms and vasodilation that are characteristic of the disorder.


• It appears that triggers that cause episodes of flushing and blushing play a part in the development of rosacea. Exposure to temperature extremes can cause the face to become flushed as well as strenuous exercise, heat from sunlight, severe sunburn, stress, anxiety, cold wind, and moving to a warm or hot environment from a cold one such as heated shops and offices during the winter.


• There are also some food and drinks that can trigger flushing for sensitive people, especially in Caucasians of mainly northwestern European descent. This include alcohol, food and beverages containing caffeine (especially, hot tea and coffee), foods high in histamines and spicy food.


• Certain medications and topical irritants can quickly trigger rosacea. Some acne and wrinkle treatments that have been reported to cause rosacea include microdermabrasion and chemical peels, as well as high dosages of isotretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin. Steroid induced rosacea is the term given to rosacea caused by the use of topical or nasal steroids. These steroids are often prescribed for seborrheic dermatitis. Dosage should be slowly decreased and not immediately stopped to avoid a flare up.

Studies of rosacea and demodex mites have revealed that some people with Rosacea have increased numbers of the mite, especially those with steroid induced rosacea. When large numbers are present they may play a role along with other triggers. On other occasions Demodicidosis (Mange) is a separate condition that may have “rosacea-like” appearances.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for rosacea, nor is there a single, specific test for rosacea. In addition, it can easily be confused with, and co-exist with acne vulgaris and/or seborrhoeic dermatitis. Only an experienced dermatologist can diagnose it with certainty.

Treatment centers around management. Typically, treatment usually involves trigger avoidance and the use of topical medications to reduce inflammation.

Mild cases are often not treated at all and are simply covered up with cosmetics. Since many creams and cosmetics can cause a rosacea trigger, you’d be better off using natural mineral makeup that doesn’t clog or irritate and lets your skin breathe.

Its also important to eat a balanced diet with ample protein, fruits, vegetables and fiber to keep your body and immune system healthy.