ByDr John E Burke
This article will deal with a common, but difficult to treat, chronic skin condition called Rosacea. Over 14 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with some form of Rosacea, most of whom are between ages 30 and 60. Women are affected by Rosacea three times more frequently than men, although men tend to have more serious and disfiguring cases.
Signs of Rosacea include reddened areas with visible blood vessels and often pimples (like acne) over the cheeks, nose and chin. In early cases, the redness comes and goes. But as Rosacea gets worse, the redness also increases and results in noticeable, permanent "broken blood vessels". Common acute symptoms include flushing & red blotches appearing most commonly on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead (in that order).
Nobody knows what causes Rosacea, although one theory is that skin bacteria can start the process of skin damage and redness. There are certain factors that can trigger more symptoms. These "triggers" include hot or cold temperatures, wind, hot drinks, exercise, spicy food, alcohol (especially red wine), and menopause.
Prevention is of the utmost importance in controlling the embarrassing redness and flushing that comes with Rosacea. I recommend the following products for preventative treatment:
Daily use, (even in winter) of a sunscreen with at least SPF-30.Vitamin K applied to the skin also improves skin healing to damage and reduces blood vessel formation. It is best to apply Vitamin K Creme to reddened areas after washing.
It's natural for people diagnosed with Rosacea to feel isolated and embarrassed by their skin. However, everyone should know that rosacea is actually a very common skin condition. An estimated 14 million Americans have rosacea in varying degrees.
Broken blood vessels develop over time in addition to pimple-like bumps (acne rosacea). In later and severe cases, Rosacea can cause skin thickening with a characteristic swollen bumpy nose (most commonly seen in men). Any Rosacea patient knows that certain factors will trigger their flushing and make even mild rosacea look and feel worse. Such common Rosacea triggers include:
-Sun exposure
-Emotional stress
-Extremely hot or cold weather
-Humidity
-Excessive wind
-Excessive exercise
-Alcohol (especially red wine)
-Hot baths (including saunas)
-Spicy food
-Hot beverages
-Irritating skin treatments (especially any abrasive cleansers, dermabrasion & peels)
Obviously, avoiding these triggers can minimize flushing symptoms. Unfortunately, once broken blood vessels develop, more active treatments are needed. Topical treatments like Vitamin K can help stabilize these blood vessels. Laser therapy currently remains the gold standard for both reducing broken vessels and preventing skin thickening.
If you know anyone who has this condition, feel free to cut and paste this information and send it their way. Of course, it would also help if you told them that Dr. John Burke wrote it and not you.
This article will deal with a common, but difficult to treat, chronic skin condition called Rosacea. Over 14 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with some form of Rosacea, most of whom are between ages 30 and 60. Women are affected by Rosacea three times more frequently than men, although men tend to have more serious and disfiguring cases.
Signs of Rosacea include reddened areas with visible blood vessels and often pimples (like acne) over the cheeks, nose and chin. In early cases, the redness comes and goes. But as Rosacea gets worse, the redness also increases and results in noticeable, permanent "broken blood vessels". Common acute symptoms include flushing & red blotches appearing most commonly on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead (in that order).
Nobody knows what causes Rosacea, although one theory is that skin bacteria can start the process of skin damage and redness. There are certain factors that can trigger more symptoms. These "triggers" include hot or cold temperatures, wind, hot drinks, exercise, spicy food, alcohol (especially red wine), and menopause.
Prevention is of the utmost importance in controlling the embarrassing redness and flushing that comes with Rosacea. I recommend the following products for preventative treatment:
Daily use, (even in winter) of a sunscreen with at least SPF-30.Vitamin K applied to the skin also improves skin healing to damage and reduces blood vessel formation. It is best to apply Vitamin K Creme to reddened areas after washing.
It's natural for people diagnosed with Rosacea to feel isolated and embarrassed by their skin. However, everyone should know that rosacea is actually a very common skin condition. An estimated 14 million Americans have rosacea in varying degrees.
Broken blood vessels develop over time in addition to pimple-like bumps (acne rosacea). In later and severe cases, Rosacea can cause skin thickening with a characteristic swollen bumpy nose (most commonly seen in men). Any Rosacea patient knows that certain factors will trigger their flushing and make even mild rosacea look and feel worse. Such common Rosacea triggers include:
-Sun exposure
-Emotional stress
-Extremely hot or cold weather
-Humidity
-Excessive wind
-Excessive exercise
-Alcohol (especially red wine)
-Hot baths (including saunas)
-Spicy food
-Hot beverages
-Irritating skin treatments (especially any abrasive cleansers, dermabrasion & peels)
Obviously, avoiding these triggers can minimize flushing symptoms. Unfortunately, once broken blood vessels develop, more active treatments are needed. Topical treatments like Vitamin K can help stabilize these blood vessels. Laser therapy currently remains the gold standard for both reducing broken vessels and preventing skin thickening.
If you know anyone who has this condition, feel free to cut and paste this information and send it their way. Of course, it would also help if you told them that Dr. John Burke wrote it and not you.
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