Rosacea - scalp and facial problems
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes rashes and redness on the face and scalp. The rash may disappear with treatment but will return. Basically, the disease is caused by an inflammation of the skin. It is unknown why people get rosacea but it is known that the disease is partly hereditary.
Rosacea can be divided into four stages:
- The first stage is characterised by redness of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, temporary redness and permanent redness.
- The second stage is characterized by the development of acne pimples called acne rosacea.
- The third stage involves ruptured and dilated blood vessels that are easily visualized in the affected area.
- The fourth stage involves the development of scar tissue called rhinophyma.
The only treatment option for the fourth stage is surgical intervention. Stages 1 to 3 can traditionally be managed by the use of topical metronidazole, oral tetracycline and oral retinoids.
Many environmental triggers are known to exacerbate rosacea.
The list includes strenuous exercise, excessive sun exposure, stress, anxiety, cold, heat, alcohol, caffeine, and foods high in histamine and spice.
Rosacea is thought to be an inflammatory condition of unknown cause.