Rosacea is a common skin disease. It often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than others. Then, the redness can slowly spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. Rosacea can cause more than redness. The common subtypes are:
⦁ Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels
⦁ Papulopustular rosacea
Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts
⦁ Phymatous rosacea
Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture
⦁ Ocular rosacea
Eyes are red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and the person may have what looks like a stye.
Here are some tips to help manage your rosacea
Gently cleanse
To cleanse without further irritating your skin, dermatologists recommend that you:
⦁ Choose a mild, rosacea-friendly cleanser (not soap).
⦁ Apply the cleanser gently with your fingertips, using a circular motion.
⦁ Rinse off the cleanser with lukewarm water, using only your fingertips. You want to remove the cleanser thoroughly. If some of the cleanser stays on your skin, it can cause irritation.
⦁ Pat your face gently with a clean, cotton towel.
Moisturize every day
Whether rosacea makes your skin dry or oily, it’s important to moisturize. Moisturizing helps hydrate your skin by trapping water in your skin. This can reduce irritation and make your skin feel more comfortable. In addition, studies show that applying a rosacea-friendly moisturizer or barrier repair cream can also improve the results you see from treatment.
Avoid triggers
The sun is one of the most common triggers. Even people with dark skin can have a rosacea flare-up after being outdoors in the sun. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen to your face every day before going outdoors. Even on cloudy days, it helps to apply sunscreen.
Look for sunscreen with:
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both
Silicone (may be listed as dimethicone, orcyclomethicone, or cyclomethicone)
No fragrance
Broad-spectrum protection
SPF 30 or higher
Exercise like hot yoga can be a trigger in some.
Avoid the hottest area in the gym, or being right under the aircon.
If you notice worsening of your rosacea, like with certain alcohols or food, best to avoid those.
Choose rosacea-friendly skin care products.
Many skin care products and cosmetics can irritate your skin when you have rosacea. While gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection can help reduce this sensitivity, you also want to choose your skin care products and makeup carefully.
To reduce the likelihood of buying a product that will irritate your skin, you want to avoid anything that contains:
Alcohol
Camphor
Fragrance
Glycolic acid
Lactic acid
Menthol
Sodium laurel sulfate (often found in shampoos and toothpaste)
Urea
Choose a cream instead of a lotion or gel
Never use an astringent or toner
Test skin care products and makeup before applying them to your face. If you’ve never tried a product or it seems that everything you apply to your face stings, testing can help. To test a product, dab a small amount near (but not on) your rosacea-prone skin, if it irritates your skin (burning, stinging, etc.) within 72 hours, you know not to use it.
Be gentle with your skin. Anything that irritates your skin can worsen rosacea. To prevent this, you want to avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face. That means no washcloths, facial sponges, or exfoliating.
A dermatologist can assist you if you have trouble finding skin care products or makeup that doesn’t irritate your skin. Your dermatologist can examine your skin and recommend products for your skin’s specific needs.
For more tips and information visit:
www.rosacea.org
www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea
