Rosacea is a patchy flushing of the face accompanied by inflammation and other symptoms. It afflicts over 45 million individuals around the world.
The most commonly affected areas are the nose, cheeks, forehead, but has also been known to reach the ears, neck, scalp, and chest.
Skin Care Secret
The first signs of rosacea include prolonged redness from exercise, temperature changes, and skin cleansing routines. As it progresses, the following conditions may develop...
· permanent redness
· enlarged blood vessels (appearing as tiny red lines)
· puffy cheeks
· pimples or red bumps (at times with pus)
· conjunctivitis (grittiness and burning of the eyes)
· rhinophyma (enlarged, bulbous, red nose)
Conjunctivitis, if not treated, can damage the cornea and impair vision. Rhinophyma, on the other hand, also called the W.C. Fields nose (after the famous comedian), may require surgery.
Rosacea should not be confused with the more common acne vulgaris or seborrheic dermatitis. However, unlike more common acne, rosacea has no blackheads or whiteheads (although rosacea and vulgaris can coexist in some people).
Who Gets Rosacea?
Unlike more common acne that affects mostly teenagers, rosacea typically afflicts people between ages 30 and 50. Although it is more frequent in women (especially middle-aged and menopausal), it affects men more severely. Fair-skinned individuals are also more likely to suffer from rosacea.
Is It Hereditary?
Medical experts differ in opinion. Those who claim it is hereditary point out that fair-skinned people of Celtic or European ancestry are more genetically predisposed to developing rosacea -- giving the medical condition a genetic or hereditary component.
On the other hand, the dissenters point out that rosacea is not an inherited, genetic condition simply because, if it were, it would begin at an early age. Instead, sufferers accumulate acids from years of food, drink, sun damage, poor rosacea and acne cure products, etc., all of which lead to the advancement of the condition.
The exact cause, however, is still unknown. But most experts agree that it is a blood vessel disorder where damage is caused by repeated dilation.
Little Known Rosacea Treatment
One of the most promising rosacea treatments in years is topical niacinamide. Topical niacinamide has been shown in scientific studies to have anti-inflammatory and skin barrier improvement properties (which leads to diminished reaction to irritants such as detergents). Research at the State University of New York College of Medicine has proven that topical niacinamide reduces inflammation and redness. Furthermore, it does not cause the bacterial resistance associated with antibiotics that some other medications carry.
Acnessential (a 4% Niacinamide cream) is a safe topical niacinamide that not only heals inflammation and redness, but also reduces the production of sebum that may lead to the infected bumps associated with rosacea.
The Real Secret To Treating Rosacea
Richard Hargreaves is a former MR AUSTRALIA and publisher of Acne-Free-Info.com. On his website he provides a FREE 70 page Acne Blemish Treatment eBook and information on acne cream and the best Rosacea cure.