These are the signs that you have rosacea

It feels like sudden heat in specific areas of the fur . We take a mirror, look at the reflection and confirm what we suspected: our cheeks are very red. Almost instantly, we can notice that it doesn’t match our normal tone, but we don’t pay too much attention to it.

It could appear in the middle of the routine and in the most unexpected situations, such as during a walk in the sun, after a comforting hot shower and even after getting angry or laughing very intensely.

Although this blushing is generally thought to be normal in everyday life, this is not always the case. These could be clear indications of rosacea, a chronic disease that manifests itself mainly through inflammation and redness of the skin, the latter also known as Rinsing facial.

Rosacea can affect anyone. However, It tends to occur much more frequently in women, people with fair skin and who are between 30 and 50 years old, according to the Chilean Society of Dermatology and Venereology (Sochiderm).

Natacha Quezada, dermatologist from the UC Christus network, explains to La Tercera that this disease could commonly go unnoticed in people who suffer from it and therefore not be treated immediately: “A lot of people get used to seeing themselves with a red face because they confuse rosacea with pudal erythema, which is when you’re embarrassed or excited and you get a little flushed” .

“The pudal erythema passes quickly, in less than 5 minutes you are pale again. On the other hand, in rosacea, this redness of the face lasts longer and the symptoms worsen, such as burning, the feeling of allergy, a heat that hurts”, underlines the expert.

Until now, the origin of the appearance of rosacea is unknown. However, specialists have identified that there are a number of important factors that affect the onset of symptoms.

Carmen Gloria Fuentes, dermatologist at the Ciudad del Mar clinic, tells La Tercera that this skin disease “It has been linked to an increase in a parasite, a mite called Demodex Folliculorum, which is found in pustules. . Although all people have this mite without distinction, the dermatologist clarifies that those who suffer from rosacea seem to have a more excessive growth of this element.

Very sudden changes in temperature, such as hot and cold, stress, exercise, ultraviolet rays, very drastic emotions, alcohol, spicy foods and very hot drinks , are the external elements that can cause rosacea. And as in this period of great cold it is customary to turn on the heating in homes or workplaces, this could be another trigger for redness and inflammation of the skin.

For Quezada, this inflammatory disorder is also closely linked to genetics, meaning that patients have a family history of this chronic disease.

“When the parents have rosacea or at some point acne, this tendency is most likely hereditary, people are more predisposed to have it”, explains the doctor. The above leads to the fact that on many occasions, individuals do not identify themselves as suffering from rosacea, because “they are used to seeing all their relatives with a red face and they think that it is something normal “.

How is this disease reflected in the skin? From Quezada’s perspective, when rosacea is in its early stages the most obvious is the localized redness in the central part of the face, such as the cheeks and the nose. This could be accompanied by burning, tenderness and small spider veins, i.e. veins that have grown and are visible on the face.

In more severe cases, rosacea can lead to the appearance of pimples, pustules and rhinophyma (when the nose is large and red).

Some patients may also show signs of redness in other areas such as the ears, neck, chest and even the eyes, says UC dermatologist Christus. This happens because different subtypes are derived from what we call rosacea, categorized by the lesions and symptoms people have. In all cases, the assessment must be provided by a specialist.

The first subtype is telangiectatic erythematous rosacea, where the patient experiences the classic redness of the face and other areas for a brief period of 10 minutes, but as the disease progresses the attacks can be prolonged. Another subtype is papulopustular rosacea, which, in addition to the traditional redness, includes pustules and pimples at affected sites.

On the other hand, there is ocular rosacea which affects with redness, burning and even itching in the entire area of ​​​​the eyes and eyelids. Phymatous rosacea, on the other hand, generates a very noticeable thickening of the patient’s skin.

This skin condition is incurable, but there are dermatologist-recommended treatments that can control the tendency to redness and other more complex signs. Quezada says that with specialized care — which lasts a lifetime — it’s possible to maintain normal, healthy skin, but that doesn’t mean rosacea is over.

“When you get into balance, you have to be careful that your rosacea doesn’t get out of hand, because there are many forms of severe rosacea,” he says.

For the same reason, for UC Christus dermatologist, the essential first step in treating rosacea is to keep symptom triggers at bay: “We must take care of the foods that produce it, avoid sudden changes in temperature, use sunscreen constantly, it is a measure that is vital so that rosacea does not activate. Sometimes people think that since there is no sun and it is cold, they should not wear sunscreen, but we know that using sunscreen prevents rosacea”.

In addition to the above, she also suggests giving your face a damn clean morning and night with dermatological products, as well as avoiding alcohol-containing cleansers, such as astringents, which could cause burning and skin sensitivity. .

While Fuentes indicates that rosacea treatments will always depend on the intensity of the condition: “Creams can be used to improve redness or even use laser or IPL (intense pulsed light, in Spanish). For pimples, topical oral antibiotics or oral retinoids can also be used” .