Síntomas y tratamiento de la rosácea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition affecting more than 16 million people in the U.S. It may look like facial acne, but the treatments are different. If you suspect you have rosacea, it’s important to see a dermatologist to find the best treatment for you.

Rosacea symptoms & types

The first sign of rosacea may be frequent blushing (flushing), which causes facial redness. Other common symptoms of rosacea on your face include:

• Persistent redness that resembles a sunburn
• Hinchazón
• Burning or stinging sensations
• Small, red bumps that may resemble acne
• Visible blood vessels across the nose, cheeks, eyelids and forehead
• Thickened skin on the nose and cheeks (phyma)
• Dry, rough skin
• Raised, red patches (plaques)

There are four types of rosacea, and it’s common to have a mixture of different types. Cada uno tiene diferentes síntomas:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Swells the blood vessels under the skin, making it feel warm and flushed, and causes visible blood vessels.
• Papulopustular rosacea: Causes pimples (rosacea bumps), redness and swelling.
• Phymatous rosacea (rhinophyma): Enlarges the oil glands in the nose and cheeks, causing the nose to have a bulbous appearance, often described as rosacea nose.
• Ocular rosacea: Affects the eyes, causing redness, irritation and swollen eyelids.

Rosacea risk factors

Rosacea can affect anyone. The condition typically starts between ages 30 and 50, and it’s most common in people with fair skin tones, especially women. Other potential risk factors for rosacea include:

• Being over 30
• Family history of rosacea
• Tabaquismo
• Having a history of acne
• Having a condition that affects your blood vessels, immune or nervous system, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

What causes rosacea?

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it may be related to Microscopic Demodex folliculorum mites. Although these parasites are found on the skin of all humans, they frequently occur in greater numbers in people with rosacea. Evidence suggests that an overabundance of Demodex mites may trigger an immune response in people with rosacea. Inflammation might also be caused by certain bacteria associated with these mites.

Find your rosacea triggers

You may notice that hot, humid weather or stress causes your rosacea to flare. These are known as triggers, and they are different for everyone.

Common rosacea triggers include:

• Estrés
• Sun exposure
• Hot or cold weather
• Hot food or drinks
• Ejercicio
• Consumo de alcohol
• Cambios hormonales

You might also need to avoid certain foods – like caffeine or spicy foods – that can dilate the blood vessels in your skin. Tenga en cuenta que algunos productos para el cuidado de la piel de venta libre pueden empeorar la rosácea. Lea atentamente las etiquetas y evite los productos con cualquiera de estos ingredientes:

• Alcohol
• Alcanfor
• Fragancia
• Ácido glicólico
• Ácido láctico
• Mentol
• Laurel sulfato de sodio (a menudo se encuentra en champús y pasta de dientes)
• Urea

Diagnóstico de la rosácea 

No hay pruebas médicas para diagnosticar la rosácea. Instead, your dermatologist will examine your skin and your eyes and ask questions about your symptoms. Your answers will help confirm if you have rosacea or a different type of skin condition like eczema.

Opciones de tratamiento para la rosácea

Treating rosacea usually starts with learning about proper skin care and understanding how it differs from acne. Your doctor may prescribe creams and oral medications. If you have visible blood vessels, laser therapy might also be suggested.

Medications for rosacea

The type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on your rosacea symptoms. You may need to try different rosacea treatment options or a combination of medications to find a treatment that works best for you.

Prescription medications for rosacea include:

• Topical medications that reduce flushing: For mild to moderate rosacea, your doctor may prescribe a cream or gel with azelaic acid that you apply to the affected rosacea skin. Estos medicamentos reducen el enrojecimiento al contraer los vasos sanguíneos.
• Antibióticos orales: Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic for moderate to severe rosacea with bumps and pimples.
• Medicamento oral para el acné: Si tiene rosácea grave que no responde a otros medicamentos, el médico puede recetarle un medicamento oral más potente para el acné que también ayuda a eliminar las lesiones de rosácea similares al acné.

Laser treatment for rosacea

La terapia con láser para la rosácea puede hacer que los vasos sanguíneos agrandados sean menos visibles. Hable con el médico sobre los riesgos y beneficios. Los efectos secundarios de la terapia con láser para la rosácea incluyen hinchazón y hematomas que pueden durar varios días. On skin with darker pigmentation or complexion, laser treatment might cause long-term or permanent discoloration of the treated skin. El tratamiento con láser para la rosácea generalmente se considera un procedimiento cosmético, y el seguro generalmente no lo cubre.

Rosacea surgery

If thickened skin (phyma) needs to be removed, your dermatologist may refer you to a dermatologic surgeon. La cirugía para extirpar la fima es compleja. A menudo requiere el uso de diferentes procedimientos para eliminar el exceso de piel y remodelar la nariz u otra parte de la cara.

How to reduce rosacea flare-ups

Los brotes de rosácea son comunes, pero hay muchas maneras de minimizar su gravedad o reducir su frecuencia. Rosacea self-care tips include:

• Find and avoid your rosacea triggers
• Proteja su piel del sol
• Use mild skin and hair products
• Wash your face gently and avoid scrubbing

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