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Acne Basics

Loestrin Acne

Acne

You wake up in the morning and find your face is red, bumpy, and all-around unsightly. Acne has happened overnight? Well, not always. Even though it often looks like acne, rosacea is a common skin condition with acne-like symptoms that can be as psychologically scarring as acne. Rosacea afflicts many people, especially adults. In fact, the prevalence of rosacea among adults has caused it to be termed 'adult acne' by some skin professionals. In reality, rosacea is very different from acne. Acne is a general term used to describe the blemishes and lesions that can erupt on the face, chest, back, and other areas of the body due to pores clogged with sebum. Rosacea, however, is caused by enlarged blood vessels under the skin. While acne usually appears during adolescence, rosacea usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50.

What causes rosacea? Rosacea is thought to be a vascular disorder that afflicts people in the 30s, 40s, or 50s, although it can occur during adolescence. How do you know if you are getting rosacea? The clearest symptom is you notice your skin becoming red, especially around your T-zone areas of nose, cheeks, and chin. Most rosacea patients describe a feeling of tightness and dryness in their face. Their skin may look and feel parched, and may become very sensitive to creams, lotions, or ointments. Eventually, most rosacea sufferers will notice teangiectasia, the small, nearly imperceptible blood vessels that appear in the afflicted areas.

As the rosacea worsens, patients may experience their complexion becoming consistently redder. Often, rosacea sufferers may experience a 'red nose.' They tend to blush easily, and they may develop swelling and acne-like symptoms like pimples and bumps. The rosacea sufferer may also notice that their pores seem to become more prominent. Swelling is not uncommon, especially in the area of the nose and cheeks. In more severe cases, fibroplasia may occur. Fibroplasia occurs when the skin produces excess facial tissue, causing a distortion of the facial area. At its most severe form, fibroplasia becomes so widespread that the face becomes swollen and enlarged, especially the area around the nose, creating a condition called rhinophyma.

Obviously, rosacea is a potentially serious skin disorder that can seriously alter a person's appearance and permanently damage their self-esteem. Fortunately, rosacea is highly treatable. In many cases, simply taking a few simple precautions can control rosacea. Rosacea appears to be at least partly hereditary. Both men and women appear to suffer similar rates, but men are usually affected more severely. If you think you may be prone to rosacea, strive to avoid excess sunlight, and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated. People who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, certain eye disorders, and other skin disorders may be more prone to developing rosacea.

When should you seek professional help? Visit a dermatologist if you manifest any of the following symptoms: excessive redness in the face, especially the T-zone area; enlarged blood vessels; eye irritation; acne-like pimples and bumps.

Many skin professionals suggest that certain environmental factors may aggravate signs of rosacea. These include direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and pollutants. Other things that may exacerbate rosacea include hot liquids, alcohol and caffeine, spicy foods, and stress.

There are professionals that differentiate between two different types of rosacea. One manifestation of the disorder is characterized as vascular rosacea. The symptoms of vascular rosacea may include excessive flushing and redness of the skin. The blood vessels of the face may swell and manifest themselves on the skin as thin red lines. Sometimes, the skin may feel perceptibly warm. Another common form of rosacea is described as inflammatory rosacea. The symptoms of inflammatory rosacea may include the appearance of pimples, bumps, and pustules. Inflammation and irritation of the eyes may also be present.

Treatment of rosacea consists primarily of treating the symptoms of redness and inflammation. A dermatologist may prescribe topical or oral medications aimed at controlling the symptoms of inflammation and redness. If you suffer from some form of rosacea, your doctor may also advise you to avoid hot or spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and excessive sunlight. Patients are also advised to wash their skin with hypoallergenic soap or cleansers, and to avoid synthetic perfumes and lotions