March is Rosacea Awareness Month

Contributed by: Audrey Smith, Pharm.D.

Community Pharmacy Resident

Text Box: Rosacea (pronounced "roh-ZAY-sha") is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. The disorder typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. Although rosacea can affect all segments of the population, individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risk. Women are more frequently diagnosed with rosacea, but more severe symptoms tend to be seen in men, likely due to the delay in seeking medical help until the disorder reaches advanced stages.

What Causes Rosacea?
The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but several unproven theories exist. One theory of rosacea's origin is that the disorder may be a component of a more generalized disorder of the blood vessels, which could explain why rosacea sufferers have a tendency to flush. Another theory is that changes in normal skin bacteria may play a role. There is also evidence that suggests rosacea may be inherited. Nearly 40% of rosacea patients surveyed by the National Rosacea Society said they could name a relative who had similar symptoms.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea?
Rosacea can vary substantially from one individual to another, and in most cases some rather than all of the potential signs and symptoms appear. Rosacea always includes at least one of the following primary signs: blushing or flushing (facial redness that comes and goes, also often the earliest sign of the disorder); persistent facial redness

Text Box: (blush or sunburn that does not go away; and the most common individual sign); small red solid bumps and pus-filled pimples (resembles acne); small blood vessels visible on the facial skin. Various secondary signs and symptoms may also develop, such as eye irritation, burning or stinging sensations, dry appearance of facial skin, plaques (raised red patches), skin thickening, and swelling. Signs and symptoms may also develop on the neck, chest, scalp, and ears. In severe, untreated cases, the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue growth.
How is Rosacea Treated?
While there is no cure for rosacea, medical therapy is available to control or reverse signs and symptoms. Various oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat the bumps, pimples and redness often associated with the disorder. Dermatologists typically prescribe initial treatment with oral antibiotics and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, followed by long-term use of the topical therapy alone to maintain remission. Treatments with lasers, intense pulsed light sources, or other medical and surgical devices may be used when appropriate to remove visible blood vessels, reduce extensive redness, or correct disfigurement. Lifestyle Management and Skin Care for Rosacea Sufferers
In addition to medical treatment, rosacea sufferers can improve their chances of maintaining remission by identifying and avoiding lifestyle and environmental factors that trigger rosacea flare-ups or aggravate their individual conditions. Of rosacea sufferers surveyed, 96% said avoiding

Text Box: their identified personal triggers reduced their flare-ups. Common rosacea trigger factors include: sun exposure, emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, alcohol, spicy foods, heavy exercise, hot baths, heated beverages, and certain skin-care products. A gentle skin-care routine can help control rosacea as well. Patients are advised to clean their face with a mild and non-abrasive cleanser, then rinse with lukewarm water and gently blot the face dry with a thick cotton towel. Patients may apply non-irritating skin-care products as needed, and are advised to protect the skin from sun exposure using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Because signs and symptoms of rosacea vary from one patient to another, treatment must be tailored by a physician for each individual. Talk with your pharmacist or physician today about various treatment options for rosacea. For more detailed information about understanding and coping with rosacea, call 1-888-NO-BLUSH or visit the National Rosacea Society’s website at www.rosacea.org. Also on the website, subscribe at no charge for the Rosacea Review, a newsletter published by the National Rosacea Society for people with