Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease, which affects 14 million Americans and is also known as acne rosacea. Some of the signs are: redness of the face skin, visible damaged blood vessels on the nose and cheeks, bumps and pimples. The inflammation of the eyelids and sore eyes can also be caused by rosacea.



Food does not lead to rosacea but it can make the redness of the skin worse. There are some foods to be avoided, like spices (paprika and all kinds of pepper) that release histamine and niacin, causing facial flushing. Some people say that even avocado, tomatoes, eggplant, chocolate, cheese and spinach could cause flush but these facts have not been scientifically proved.

Some people worry that if they practice exercises their disease will aggravate. The fact is that when exercising the face skin blushes more but after the exercises are done, the skin gets back to the way it was before. Exercises are good for you if they are done in a cool environment for repeated short periods. When finishing the exercises it is indicated that you get hydrated.

Some people get affected by rosacea in a severe way. This does not mean that all people who have rosacea will end up like that, if following the treatment and changing its lifestyle. Rosacea can not be cured but its effects can be corrected with repeated laser therapy and good early therapy.

Scientists do not know exactly what produces rosacea, they suspect a vascular cause and the Helicobacter Pilory, a bacterium that lives in the stomach and is responsible for ulcer. It is possible that by following a treatment with antibiotic drugs, rosacea will disappear, but this is not well studied yet.

Using for a long time cortisone creams can produce rosacea but it generally disappears after a while.

Other drugs that can lead to rosacea are: vaso-dilating drugs and some cholesterol lowering agents.

People should use a face cleanser that does not contain soap, oil and any fragrance. This cleanser will act gently upon the skin and will not influence its natural Ph balance. Avoid using astringent cleansers and aftershaves. Because the skin affected of rosacea is very dry, you should avoid using brushes or rough towels to rub your face skin. Also, when going out in the cold cover your cheeks and nose with a scarf. Sunscreen is benefic for you because the sun might damage even more your sensitive skin. It is recommended to apply on all your sun exposed parts of the body a moisturizer with a sunscreen, minimum of SPF15 even winter, not only in summer.