What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is an inflammatory chronic skin condition. It usually affects the face and is more common in fair-skinned people. Most affected individuals confuse rosacea with acne, eczema, or skin allergy due to which treatment can be delayed. Rosacea tends to worsen with time if left untreated for too long. While this condition can affect people of any age, it usually affects middle-aged fair-skinned women. Let’s take a quick look at the symptoms.
Signs And Symptoms
One of the most prominent signs of rosacea is that your cheeks and sometimes your chin, nose, and forehead become red. In rare cases, your chest, neck, ears, or head may also become red. Other symptoms associated with rosacea are:
The appearance of broken blood vessels on your skin Swelling and/or thickening of the broken vessels Redness, swelling, or pain in your eyes A stinging or burning sensation on your skin Some patches of your skin may become dry and rough Your pores become larger Small bumps around your eyelids
These symptoms can be mild to severe, and you may see them come and go from time to time. However, leaving rosacea untreated can cause these symptoms to become permanent. Doctors and researchers are yet to determine what exactly causes rosacea. The following factors are believed to play a significant role in causing this condition.
Causes And Risk Factors
Factors that can contribute to the onset of rosacea are:
Genetics – A family history of the condition Problems with your blood vessels that may worsen by sun damage Mites – There are mites (insects) living on all our faces. But some individuals may have more of them, which may cause irritation. Bacteria – A bacteria type called H. pylori lives in your gut. It can, at times, raise the levels of a digestive hormone called gastrin in your gut. This increase can cause your skin to look flushed.
Other risk factors for rosacea are:
Possessing light skin, eyes, or hair Age – Those between 30 and 50 years of age are at a higher risk, though other ages can be affected as well. Gender – Women are more affected than men. Past acne lesions Smoking tobacco Medications like niacin, steroids, excess antacids, or antibiotics
Rosacea is classified into four major types based on the symptoms each type exhibits.
Types Of Rosacea
Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: It is characterized by redness and flushing of the skin, along with the appearance of blood vessels, Papulopustular Rosacea: This type causes redness and swelling of the skin that may also be accompanied by breakouts that look like acne. Phymatous Rosacea: It exhibits symptoms like thickening of the skin and a bumpy or coarse texture. Ocular Rosacea: Individuals affected by ocular rosacea may look like they have a stye. It is known to cause irritation and inflammation of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids.
There is no cure for rosacea, but treatment can help manage most of its symptoms. Here’s a list of home remedies for those looking for natural alternatives to manage rosacea.
How To Manage Rosacea Naturally
Home Remedies To Manage Rosacea Symptoms
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
1-2 teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar 1 glass of warm water Honey (optional)
You can consume this once daily before meals. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar are no secret. Many individuals swear by it to treat inflammatory conditions like rosacea (5).
2. Turmeric
250-500 mg turmeric (curcumin) supplement You must take turmeric once daily for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Seek your doctor’s advice before taking the supplement. The curcumin in turmeric imparts exceptional anti-inflammatory properties to it (8). Turmeric can soothe inflammation whether it is consumed or applied topically.
3. Ginger
1-2 inches of ginger 1 cup of water
You must ideally drink this 2 to 3 times daily. Gingerol, the active compound in ginger, exhibits anti-inflammatory activities that can alleviate swelling, inflammation, and redness caused by rosacea (9).
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel (as required) Apply aloe vera gel to your skin twice daily. Aloe vera exhibits wonderful anti-inflammatory and healing properties due to its beneficial composition. It is thus another great option to manage rosacea symptoms (10).
5. Raw Honey
Raw honey (as required) Do this twice daily for best results. Raw honey has been used for centuries to treat various skin problems (11). Honey has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that help manage the symptoms of rosacea (12).
6. Burdock
1-2 teaspoons of burdock root 2 cups of water
You must drink this 2 to 3 times daily for a couple of weeks to see results. Burdock has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and inflammation in your body (13).
7. Chamomile
1-2 teaspoons of chamomile tea 1 cup of water
You can drink chamomile tea twice daily. Chamomile is an herb with medicinal properties. It contains volatile oils that possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in dealing with the symptoms of rosacea (14).
8. Comfrey
Comfrey oil or creams containing comfrey You can do this 2 to 3 times daily. Comfrey contains compounds like allantoin and rosmarinic acid, which exhibit soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe swollen and inflamed skin (15).
9. Green Tea
1 teaspoon of green tea 1 cup of water Cotton balls
You can do this twice daily. Green tea polyphenols possess anti-inflammatory activities that can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and redness that surface with rosacea (16).
10. Oatmeal
½ cup of ground oats ¼ cup of water
You can apply an oatmeal mask twice weekly. Oats contain phenolic compounds called avenanthramides that exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties. These activities can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and irritation caused by rosacea (17). In addition to these remedies, following an anti-inflammatory diet can also help a great deal in alleviating the symptoms of rosacea.
Best Diet For Rosacea
What To Eat
Anti-inflammatory foods that can help reduce rosacea flare-ups include:
Berries Cardamom Zucchini Turmeric Nuts Melons Leafy green veggies Grapes Asparagus Coriander Celery Probiotic foods
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help reduce inflammation. These foods include:
Fatty fish like salmon Ghee Flaxseeds Walnuts Chia seeds
What To Avoid
Some foods can have a negative impact on your condition and can aggravate the flare-ups. Hence, it is best to avoid such foods. They include:
Sugary foods Refined foods Hot beverages White rice and pasta Processed vegetable oils Carbonated drinks Processed meat Food sweeteners, preservatives, and additives Spicy foods Alcohol Foods that increase your body temperature like tea, coffee, cinnamon, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chocolate
Foods that contain histamine or cause your body to release more of it can worsen symptoms of skin flushing and redness. Avoid these foods:
Avocado Cheese Milk Buttermilk Sardines Shellfish Strawberries Tuna Vinegar
You can also follow a few tips to prevent your condition from worsening. These tips involve making simple changes to your lifestyle.
Tips To Manage Rosacea
Always wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Protect your face with a scarf during extreme winters. Refrain from rubbing or touching your face too often. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face. Avoid using products that contain alcohol or any other skin irritants. Use a moisturizer if your skin is too sore. Use non-comedogenic cosmetics and skin care products. Keep your skin cool. Practice yoga and breathing exercises to manage stress. Do low-intensity exercises that do not leave you feeling exhausted.
Can rosacea be cured? Rosacea cannot be cured, but early treatment can help in controlling and managing the signs and symptoms of this chronic skin condition. What is the best antibiotic for rosacea? Your doctor may prescribe low-dose antibiotics like tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline because these medications exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. How can I reduce the redness on my face fast? You can reduce the redness on your face by following any of the remedies discussed in the article and sticking to the prevention and diet tips. Does rose water help rosacea? Yes, rose water can also help in dealing with rosacea symptoms with its soothing properties. It is ideal for those with sensitive skin. When to visit a dermatologist for rosacea? If the remedies and tips mentioned in this article do not soothe your symptoms, it is best to consult a dermatologist immediately for medical assistance to treat your condition. Does Vaseline help rosacea? Applying Vaseline may help reduce the redness associated with rosacea. However, it won’t cure the condition. What happens if you leave rosacea untreated? Untreated rosacea may worsen your symptoms. The skin redness may become permanent and more noticeable, and you may notice breakouts. Is rosacea a symptom of something else? No, rosacea is not a symptom of something else. Does rosacea worsen with age? The symptoms of rosacea are not the same for everyone. However, untreated rosacea may worsen with age. Does drinking water help rosacea? Drinking water does not cure rosacea. However, it may help improve the skin and reduce redness to some extent.
