Page 42 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

40 COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS

Rosacea

Rosacea is a flush or rash that comes and goes on your chin, nose,
cheeks, and forehead. You may also have small bumps and pimples
on your cheeks, sore eyes and eyelids, and, more rarely, a swollen,
red nose. Rosacea is triggered by factors such as emotional stress,
alcohol, or hot, spicy food. Flare-ups are due to inflammation of
the tiny blood vessels under the skin but why rosacea develops
in the first place is unknown. The problem seems to run in families;
it mainly affects women aged 30–55, and can become permanent. Rosacea rash on cheek

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor
if you think you have rosacea. Identifying trigger substances
This should help you to avoid particular foods and
drinks, such as coffee, alcohol, and spicy food, that
What you can do yourself can cause flare-ups of rosacea.
● Keep a journal of your symptoms and what you
Flare-ups are usually caused by something that have eaten when they occur.
makes you flush or overheat. There are several ● Try eliminating any suspect foods or drinks for
things you can do to reduce the symptoms. up to 6 weeks to see if there is an improvement.
● Reintroduce foods and drinks one at a time, noting
● Put a cold compress (a washcloth soaked in ice-
which provoke an attack and need to be avoided.
cold water) on the flushed areas to cool your skin.
● Some foods and drinks trigger attacks. Try to
identify which, if any, are affecting you (see
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). PREVENTION
● Use mild cleansers and avoid any that contain Avoiding attacks If you are prone to
alcohol. Don’t rub your face hard or use a washcloth. flushes, following the advice given here may help
reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
● Bathing or showering in lukewarm, rather than
hot, water is less likely to irritate the skin. ● Sunlight can cause flare-ups, so stay in the shade
on hot summer days and wear a hat. When you are
● Wear cotton rather than wool and dress in layers
in the sun, use a sunscreen; a titanium dioxide
so you can remove a layer if you begin to feel hot. sunblock (see DRUG REMEDIES: SUNSCREENS AND
SUNBLOCKS, p.47) is less likely to irritate your skin.
● To minimize redness, try a green-tinted
● Avoid rapid changes of temperature – for example,
foundation; choose one that is specially formulated going straight from the cold outdoors into a hot room.
for sensitive skin. Camouflage creams are also
● If you tend to have flare-ups of rosacea when
available but you may need a specialist’s advice you are feeling under stress, try practicing deep
on selecting and applying them. breathing exercises and muscle relaxation
● Use a moisturizer to protect your skin against techniques (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES, pp.20–21).
the drying effects of cold weather.
● If you are a man with rosacea, use an electric
shaver rather than shaving cream.