Have red, flushed skin? Here’s how to tell if it could be rosacea
Rosacea, a common inflammatory skin condition, affects an estimated 16 million Americans each year. However, many people may not realize they have this condition. While occasional facial redness can be normal, especially after exercising or being exposed to heat, persistent redness or flushing could be a sign of rosacea.
Here’s what rosacea is, how to tell the difference between rosacea and normal redness and how to best treat this common skin condition.
WHAT IS ROSACEA?
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent red or flushed skin. It is believed to be caused by enlarged capillaries in your skin, which cause facial redness, heat and stinging. Over time, these dilated blood vessels can lead to spider veins on the skin if left untreated. Other symptoms of various subtypes of rosacea include:
Pus-filled bumps on the skin that look like acne
Red skin that becomes rough, scaly or thickened over time
Eye irritation, redness or dryness
AAARED SKIN VS. ROSACEA
Not all instances of red, flushed skin are necessarily rosacea. Most people experience some amount of red facial flushing immediately after exercising due to increased blood flow. However, if your skin remains red hours after you’ve finished exercising and is also accompanied by heat or stinging, you may have rosacea.
Rosacea can be triggered by many things, including exercise, heat, spicy foods, alcohol and intense emotions. If you notice that your skin tends to get red, hot and irritated when exposed to any of these common triggers, you may have rosacea. See your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It is much better to begin rosacea treatments earlier before more severe symptoms have a chance to develop.
HOW IS ROSACEA TREATED?
While there is no cure for rosacea, there are a number of ways to treat and manage its symptoms:
Use soothing, anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients like green tea extract, chamomile, argan oil and licorice extract.
Avoid skincare ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin like avobenzone, benzoic acid, certain essential oils, fragrances and strong hydroxy acids.
Avoid environmental triggers whenever possible, such as overexposure to the sun or heat, excessive alcohol consumption, hot beverages and spicy foods.
Improve rosacea symptoms from the inside out by adopting healthy lifestyle factors that reduce systemic inflammation
Talk to your dermatologist about the best rosacea skincare regimen and/or prescription medications.
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