Stop Covering Up Rosacea and Treat It from the Inside Out

Regardless of how we appear to other people, there’s always something we feel self-conscious about. Over the years, surveys show we’ve become dissatisfied with how we look when it comes to attractiveness, self-worth, and interactions with others.

Our skin, for example, is a concern if we struggle with conditions affecting its appearance. That can lead us to cover it up with cosmetics or clothing.

Rosacea is a condition that affects your skin’s appearance, but covering it up doesn’t deal with the problem. While rosacea isn’t curable, it is manageable. And that can make it easier for you to feel better about your skin and yourself.

At their three New York City locations, Dr. Javier Zelaya and his experienced medical team at Skinworks Dermatology can help if you're struggling with the effects of rosacea.

What’s rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects 14 million Americans, often presenting as redness on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. 

There’s speculation about whether rosacea is an autoimmune condition because the cause isn’t entirely understood. Several factors are linked to rosacea, including:

• Blood vessel issues
• Nervous or immune system problems
• Microscopic skin mites
• Infections
• Skin protein malfunction

Anyone can develop rosacea, but it most often affects fair-skinned women and people over 30. It can appear as a red patch and lead to a range of skin problems, such as burning, stinging, itchiness, dryness, thickening, and swelling.

The types of rosacea

Often mistaken for conditions such as atopic dermatitis, acne, and other skin problems, rosacea can affect your skin in different ways:

• Erythematotelangiectatic: facial redness, visible blood vessels, and flushing
• Papulopustular: signs similar to acne, such as pus-filled pimples and swelling
• Phymatous/rhinophyma: skin thickening, swelling on the nose; frequently affects men
• Ocular: irritated, bloodshot, or watery eyes, light sensitivity, and styes

Treating rosacea

Treatments for rosacea include:

Medications

Available medications include topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatory creams, creams to treat the mites that can cause outbreaks, and oral medicines like antibiotics and isotretinoin. Eye drops can help manage the ocular type of rosacea.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy can shrink blood vessels or remove excess skin, depending on the type of rosacea. Persistent symptoms may require additional laser treatments.

Lifestyle changes

Reducing exposure to potential rosacea triggers can lower your chances of outbreaks, so keeping a record of the circumstances (extreme temperatures, for example) around any flare-ups can help. 

Dietary changes can also make a difference. Avoid spicy foods and foods with the cinnamaldehyde compound (cinnamon, citrus, tomatoes, and chocolate), and reduce how much hot coffee and tea you drink.

Having rosacea doesn’t mean it has to control your life. If you’re ready to stop covering up your skin and start treating the problem, contact Skinworks Dermatology today. Call the office in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online.