Rosacea Treatment Alternatives

Finding the Cause of Rosacea is Closer Than You Think!

December 20th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Based on a recent study, sponsored by the National Rosacea Society, delving into the cause of rosacea, it was found that the incidence of rosacea is very likely higher than what was previously thought. A study conducted at the Harvard Medical School of 2,933 women from ages between 10 and 70 disclosed an incidence rate for rosacea of 16% in Caucasian women.

It had been thought that the prevalence rate for the same group stood at 14% for women and 6% for men, based on studies conducted in 1989. As a percent of the total population (including Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians and Indians), the overall incidence of rosacea was estimated at 10%.

Subtype 1 vs. Subtype 2 Rosacea

Additional findings found that it was the subtype 1 form of rosacea (facial redness) that was the most prevalent. This form of the skin disorder was identified in 14.8% of the Caucasian women in the above referenced study. This compares to a 1.5% rate of subtype 2 rosacea (characterized by pimples and bumps). The study subjects were women from across the globe, ranging from Los Angeles to Akita Japan.

Who Is Most Affected by Rosacea?

The skin condition of rosacea was found to be much more prevalent in the English subjects with 20% showing symptoms of rosacea. But it was the American group that had the highest incidence of subtype 2 rosacea.

Will This Rosacea Study Make a Difference?

From these studies it was fairly clear that rosacea is actually affecting more people than originally thought, or the incidence of this skin disorder is on the rise. It affects fair complexion individuals more than the darker skinned groups and subtype 1 rosacea (flushing) is the predominant symptom amongst those studied. Because of these new findings, researchers are looking in new directions in their search for the cause of rosacea.

Hopefully, each new finding will add another piece of the puzzle in finding a cure for this aggravating skin condition. In the meantime, symptoms should be managed through lifestyle changes with the help of effective rosacea treatments and medications.