Rosacea Acne – Is it really acne?

The truth behind Rosacea is that it is not really a form of acne, although it can be hard to distinguish from the embarrassing skin condition. But Rosacea can be equally embarrassing, hence the term “Rosacea acne” or “adult acne.” And just like acne, Rosacea is a disorder of the philosebaceous unit, but the causes are different. Either way, a person with Rosacea acne is a person with a skin condition that needs addressed.

How Rosacea begins

One of the beginning signs of Rosacea is a flushing or redness of the face. Out of nowhere, small, pimple-like bumps that are red. However, there are no blackheads or whiteheads that appear. The red appearance of the face is usually due to the capillaries becoming visible.

Most individuals with Rosacea acne do not realize they have the condition in the beginning stages. They simply state that their complexion is getting bad and will start using over-the-counter medications and covering the condition up with makeup. Most people are shocked when the condition worsens and they see a doctor to be told that Rosacea is the condition that they have.

As for what happens, the capillaries in the face of those with Rosacea are especially sensitive, which means they can swell quickly when certain triggers are present. These triggers can include sun exposure, drinking alcohol, hot beverages, spicy foods, emotional stress, exposure to extremely cold or hot temperatures, and using topical or oral steroids.

When Rosacea occurs, it occurs on just the face, whereas acne occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, and even the chest. This is one of the primary indicators that Rosacea is not severe acne.

If Rosacea becomes more severe, it can lead to redness and bumpiness that gives the skin a coarse, lumpy look. These lumps can become quite bulbous. This is why Rosacea may be referred to as “Rosacea acne” because of the resemblance to severe cystic acne.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Aside from facial redness, bumps, and lumps, about 50% of those with Rosacea acne develop grittiness of their eyes. This is called “ocular Rosacea.” Unfortunately, eye problems tend to be overlooked, so it is important to have any redness, grittiness, blurred vision, soreness, or tearing of the eye examined as soon as possible.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Rosacea acne, as the actual cause has not been established either. Fortunately, the condition can be controlled effectively. Treatments include topical or oral antibiotics and some acne medications and treatments will work as well. There are over-the-counter products that can be used, but these products can lead to irritation if you are not careful. You can try using more natural acne medications and products that are meant to treat Rosacea for a result that consists of less irritation while being effective. Nevertheless, it is important that you talk to your doctor to ensure that your facial redness is, in fact, due to Rosacea and not another condition that could be serious. Once you pinpoint what is wrong, then you can seek out the best treatments for you.