How to treat the ‘Celtic Curse’ that plagues Irish skin
ROSACEA is the skin condition so common in Ireland, it’s known as the “Celtic Curse”.
The chronic, inflammatory problem affects the face, causing redness, flushing and acnelike spots and is seen mostly in those with fair skin.
As many as one in ten Irish people suffer from it, but many don’t know what is or what to do about it, skin expert Eavanna Breen says.
While there is no “cure” as such, there are ways to clear and manage it.
So as April is Rosacea Awareness Month, Eavanna has outlined the most common causes and symptoms of this uncomfortable and unsightly condition – and given advice on combatting flare-ups.
She says it not only affects our skin, but also our self-confidence and social lives, as those suffering can find they don’t want to be seen with it.
It can affect those with sensitive, beautiful skin – with famous sufferers including actress Renee Zellweger and performer Dita Von Teese.
Eavanna – who looks after the skin of celebrities such as Thalia Heffernan and Samantha Mumba – explains what it is, why it’s an Irish problem and how we can successfully tackle it.
Says Eavanna: “We have one of the highest rates of rosacea sufferers in the world.
Answer
“However, although it is so commonplace, and particularly for the Irish ‘Celtic’ skin type, remarkably we still don’t know exactly what causes the disorder.
“Some theories suggest it’s down to an autoimmune response to bacteria, while others point to a mite that we all have in our skin called Demodex – it’s been seen to occur in larger numbers on rosacea skin types than others. But there’s still no definite answer.
“What we do know are the signs rosacea is coming.
“It generally shows itself around the central panel of the face; down the nose and across the cheekbones.