| Rosacea |
Rosacea is a serious skin problem that normally affects the chin, cheekbone, forehead and nose body areas. Groups of capillaries close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small bumps and, sometimes, pimples. The redness can come and go, but eventually may become permanent. The skin tissue can swell and thicken, and may be tender and sensitive to the touch. The inflammation of rosacea can look like acne, but it is normally a more chronic condition, blackheads and whiteheads are usually not present, and it usually begins in middle age or older. It is a fairly common disorder about 1 in every 20 Americans is afflicted with it, but many never realize they have it. Rosacea usually begins with frequent flushing of the face, particularly the nose and cheeks. The flushing is caused by the swelling of the blood vessels under the skin. This "red mask" can serve as a warning sign for your attention. Rosacea can also cause a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids. In some severe cases, the vision may even be affected. The underlying cause or causes of rosacea are not understood, but certain factors are known to aggravate the condition, including the consumption of alcohol, hot liquids, spicy foods; exposure to sunlight; extremes of temperature; and the use of makeup and skin care products containing alcohol. Stress, infection, and vitamin deficiencies, can be contributing factors. Note the things that aggravate one person's rosacea may have no effect on another person. Rosacea is most common in white women between the ages of 30 and 50. When it does occur in men it tends to be more severe, and is usually accompanied by " rhinophyma" (where the nose that becomes red and enlarged). Fair-skinned individuals seem to be more susceptible to this condition than darker skinned people. People who flush easily seem to be more prone than others to develop rosacea. In rare cases, rosacea may affect the skin in other parts of the body as well as the face. It is not a dangerous condition, but it is chronic and can be distressing for cosmetic reasons. Without the proper attention and care, Rosacea can cause disfiguration. |
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