It has nothing to do with romance. Do you really understand rosacea?

When you think of roses, what comes to mind? Romance? Love? Poetry? Stop! If you add the word "acne" to the rose, it might not be so beautiful.

Rosacea is named because the color of the rash is like a "rose". Although the name sounds nice, it is actually a big villain in a beautiful coat. Rosacea has a high incidence rate and strong lethality. It is a nightmare for many patients! Today, the editor will give you a popular science introduction to this "rosacea that has nothing to do with romance".

What does rosacea look like? How is it different from acne?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent erythema in the middle of the face . It is divided into four types according to different parts, different periods, and different characteristics of skin lesions:

Do you think the third picture looks familiar? This is what we often call "rosacea"! Although rosacea is called acne, it is not the acne (pimples) we usually know. Compared with common acne, rosacea has many different faces!

They are both pimples on the face, but what is the difference between rosacea and acne? Without further ado, here are the pictures and you will understand!

u1s1, the difference between rosacea and common acne is still very obvious in terms of the site of onset, typical symptoms and the people who are prone to it. If you are no longer young and have repeated red rashes or patches on the middle of your face, then you are likely to have rosacea. It is best to see a doctor in time. Don't think that you are still young and are getting acne~

What went wrong that caused rosacea to pick me?

Have you asked yourself a thousand times in your heart why I became the "chosen one" with acne all over my face?

Did you eat too much takeout? Did you play with your phone too much? Did you get hurt from staying up late to watch TV series? Did you have too much competition in the workplace? Did you not clean your skin thoroughly? Did you not choose the right skin care products? Did you not use enough sunscreen?

Let professionals handle professional matters↓↓↓

In fact, there are many causes of rosacea, and it is currently believed that it is mainly caused by the interaction of the following factors:

Genetic factors : If your parents or siblings have had rosacea, then your risk of getting the disease is higher than others (about one-third of rosacea patients have a family history), but whether you will eventually get it depends on other acquired factors.

Microbial infection : Demodex follicles is one of the accomplices of rosacea. Normal people have a small amount of Demodex follicles in their hair follicles, but when Demodex follicles over-reproduce, it will aggravate the inflammatory response of rosacea, resulting in symptoms such as papules and pustules.

Changes in temperature and humidity : If you don’t stay in the air-conditioned room on a hot day and insist on going out to bask in the sun, or if you don’t take proper measures to keep warm on a cold day, these situations will cause abnormal reactions in the facial nerves and blood vessels. The face will change at any time, and sometimes it will be accompanied by discomfort symptoms such as tingling, tightness, and itching.

Ultraviolet radiation : Under the scorching sun, without any sun protection measures, your face will soon be made red by the sun. Don’t think that this is a sign of full energy, as it is very likely that your rosacea has worsened!

Intake of spicy food, alcohol, etc .: Under the stimulation of spicy food (including chili, ginger, pepper, etc.) or alcohol, facial blood vessels will dilate, blood circulation will accelerate, and erythema symptoms will also worsen. Fine wine and delicious food are indeed not to be missed, but rosacea patients will be "intoxicated" if they indulge in their appetite!

Negative emotions : Long-term mental stress or emotional instability can induce or aggravate rosacea. Irritability can directly cause the skin erythema to worsen, while negative emotions such as depression and anxiety can also aggravate the inflammatory response to a certain extent, causing symptoms such as flushing and erythema.

Intense exercise : Many people blindly pursue high-intensity exercise, thinking that only intense exercise can bring results. However, they do not know that intense exercise can increase skin temperature, dilate capillaries and cause congestion, which may induce or aggravate symptoms of rosacea such as redness of the skin.

Inappropriate treatment or skin care : Inappropriate topical medications, skin care products or phototherapy can cause skin water and oil imbalance, damage the skin barrier function, and lead to skin sensitivity symptoms.

Rosacea is a chronic, progressive disease. If it is not intervened early, as the disease gradually worsens, it may induce a variety of other diseases , such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, nervous system diseases, mental diseases, digestive system diseases, etc. Therefore, if you find yourself showing symptoms suspected of rosacea, you should see a doctor as soon as possible!

Treatments for rosacea include topical treatments, oral medications, phototherapy, etc. However, there are some considerations on how to choose these methods, when to take them orally, and when to combine them with phototherapy. You can’t just make a decision on your own. When it comes to treating rosacea, it’s safer to consult a professional doctor. After all, face is important!

In the next issue, I will take you to learn more about the treatment of rosacea. See you there! **Early detection and early treatment can bring early benefits! **I hope that the next time I blush, it will be because of my heart, not because of rosacea~

References:

Rosacea Research Center of the Chinese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, Chinese Medical Association, Rosacea Professional Committee of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rosacea (2021 Edition). Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2021, 54(04):279-288.

https://www.acne.org/acne-vs-rosacea#ClinicalManifestationsofAcne

Chinese Medical Association, et al. Primary diagnosis and treatment guidelines for acne vulgaris (2023). Chinese Journal of General Practitioners, 2023, 22(02):138-145.

Dermatology Subspecialty Committee of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Consensus of Chinese experts on the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea (2016). Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2017, 50(3):156-161.

Song Xiaoting, et al. Research progress on the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of rosacea. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2022, 55(05):446-449.

Cong Lin, Liao Yong, Tian Yanli (translator). Epidemiology and genetics of rosacea. [M]// Plewig & Kligman Acne and rosacea: 4th edition. Beijing: Peking University Medical Press, 2021: 264-269.

Yu Fubing, et al. Comorbidities and risk factors of rosacea[J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023, 37(08): 861-864.