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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.

Rosacea Treatments - Can Vitamins Help Control Rosacea?

December 12th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

This is a question that is asked often by those affected by this skin disorder and are looking for the best rosacea treatment that will help control their symptoms.   In many cases, certain vitamins can make a difference in the treatment of various skin diseases, and even help eradicate the disorder, but there has been no proof that vitamins will help control rosacea flare-ups.

As a matter of fact, there are really no documented studies that would support a claim that a specific vitamin helps control the signs or symptoms of rosacea.   So, for instance, taking Vitamin E (a well-known vitamin for skin health) to control rosacea symptoms has no real scientific support in the medical community.

On the other hand, it is a fact that certain vitamins will exacerbate your rosacea condition.  Niacin, one of the B complex vitamins found in certain foods as well as supplements, can act as a vasodilator and actually cause or intensify flushing.  So, if you are taking vitamin supplements that include niacin and you believe that it may be affecting your flushing, try to find a multiple vitamin without niacin and also avoid foods containing this element.

Natural foods with higher concentrations of niacin include organ meats (like kidney or liver), pork, lean meats, prawns, and even cow’s milk.   Other sources of this vitamin include seeds and almonds, wheat products, rice bran, beans, turnips, green vegetables, carrots, and celery.

So, should you try to treat your rosacea with vitamin supplements?  Probably not.  However, the evidence does point to a possible problem with a vitamin such as niacin.  At this time, you are probably better to a prudent approach and avoid taking any large doses of a specific vitamin in the hopes of treating rosacea symptoms or minimizing flare-ups.

Rosacea Skin Treatments Start With a Good Facial Cleansing

September 22nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

While most rosacea sufferers a keenly interested in the latest treatment for acne rosacea, your rosacea skin treatments need to start with a more basic task - appropriate cleansing of the face. One of the key concerns in facial cleansing is to avoid irritating your already sensitive skin. So, if you are presently using any type of rosacea skin cleanser that burns, stings, or irritates your face, it would be prudent to seek out another product made specifically for sensitive skin.

Here are a few helpful tips to consider when cleansing your face:

• When washing your face, use lukewarm water, not hot or cold, because the extreme temperatures can actually cause a flushing effect.
• Use your fingertips instead of a sponge or wash cloth. It avoids abrasion and further irritation of your skin.
• Blot your face dry with a thick, fluffy towel. Do not pull, tug, or rub your face with a towel when drying.
• Be aware of your particular sensitivities to medications or rosacea skin treatments. Applying any creams or lotions immediately after cleansing your face can actually irritate your skin.

Wait to Apply Creams or Lotions

It is quite common for rosacea patients to experience a burning or stinging of the skin if they apply skin treatments too soon after cleansing their face. So, it is advised that you wait at least 30 minutes after cleansing to avoid this effect. You can experiment with this time interval by shortening the waiting period by 5-minute increments until you note a sensitivity with your skin.

Another practice that can save you from irritation is to wait an additonal 5-10 minutes after applying your topical rosacea treatment before you add any sunscreen or makeup products.

Know the Ingredients of Your Rosacea Skin Treatments and Cleansers

A thorough understanding of the ingredients of your rosacea treatments and facial cleansers can help you avoid products that may cause more damage than good. You will find that awareness of certain ingredients in your skin care products that are known for skin irritation in sensitive skin can help avoid the pain of an irritated face. Men should be particularly alert to any shave creams or after shave lotions that can cause stinging or burning.

Men should also consider using an electric razor rather than a standard “stick” razor. The scraping of the blade can often cause facial irritation if the blade is not extremely sharp.

So, before applying your rosacea skin treatments to your sensitive face, it is always an excellent practice to perform a thorough cleansing of your facial skin. Be gentle and avoid scrubbing at all costs. Try using a gentle facial cleanser, like ZENMED® Gentle Cleansing Cream, that is made specifically for sensitive skin and uses a number of natural ingredients. A formulation using botanicals and herbs is far less likely to cause any kind of reaction to already sensitive skin.

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