Rosacea Causes and Solutions
Your mother or grandmother might be advocates of never using blush. That in order to get color in your cheeks, all you have to do is pinch them. But for some people, this redness is less a mark of beauty and more of a daily pain in the cheeks, known as rosacea. What are the catalysts for this strange and pesky skin condition, and what can you do to stop them? It may be hard to pin down specific rosacea causes, but in doing so we can take the first step to preventing it from getting worse, or aggravated later on in life.
General Rosacea Risks and Causes
Facial Blood Vessels and Abnormalities
There is a general consensus among dermatologists that abnormalities in the face’s blood vessels play a huge role in spurring on a flush of rosacea. The constant redness and visibility of blood vessels are evidence towards this hypothesis, but what specifically causes such inflammation in facial blood vessels is still left largely unknown.
Light Skin Tone
Dermatologists also generally agree that fair skinned individuals are at a higher risk for developing rosacea, but there may be a slight complication to this statistic. In one way, it appears that the most commonly reported cases of skin rosacea are in persons of lighter skin color. There is something inherent within extremely pale skin that is conducive to these types of flushes. However, those who are darker in complexion may not notice an inflammation as easily, which would make it harder to diagnose.
A Mite-y Skin Dweller
Next on the list of rosacea causes is something that might sound like it came from a horror movie, but is actually a perfectly normal resident of the human body. Demodex folliculorum is a mite that can only be seen from under a microscope. It lives on human skin, and is actually functional because it consumes dead skin cells as they are shed. While this mite’s intentions are good, startling evidence suggests that the number of Demodex folliculorum on an individual directly correlates with their likelihood of getting rosacea. A much higher number of the mite exists on rosacea patients than non-patients, though the reason is still unclear.
H. Pylori Bacteria
Nope, this is not the name of a popular scientific writer. Instead, it is the term for a bacteria located in your digestive system. Like the Demodex folliculorum, it’s perfectly normal to find this bacteria in your body, as it stimulates a protein called bradykinin, which allows your blood vessels to dilate. Too much of this, however, can lead to the flushes akin to rosacea, which is why some experts believe this bacteria could be linked to rosacea causes.
Too Bad You Can’t Try on Another Pair of Genes
One’s genetic history could play a large part in their susceptibility for getting rosacea, studies have shown. Among rosacea patients, 30 to 40 percent have a close relative that is also affected by the condition. Research is still being conducted on the specific gene that is passed on that spurs on rosacea causes.
Daily Rosacea Causes
Once the condition has been diagnosed by your doctor, a number of everyday things can be potential rosacea causes. Avoiding or decreasing consumption of these foods and activities can help mellow out a potential outbreak or flare up. Many are easy to remember, because they are basically common sense.
Hot Food and Drink
This means staying away from Indian restaurants (especially dishes marked with little peppers), as well as sticking to cooler options on menus at Thai and Mexican restaurants. Hot drinks like tea and coffee have also been known to bring on a flush fest. In the case of these hot beverages, caffeine can also play a part in speeding up the rate your blood vessels dilate, as can alcohol. Additionally, some dairy products may also aggravate facial skin cells, and serve as inadvertent rosacea causes. Make rational choices before partaking in these food and drink options.
Stay Out of Extreme Temperatures
Nobody finds a heat wave or a cold front especially pleasant. But for individuals living with rosacea, extra care must be taken to protect the skin in times of this sort of weather. Proper creams and moisturizers can combat these rosacea causes, as can proper head wear. In times of extreme heat, remember to invest in an extra strong brand of sunscreen as well. Your doctor will recommend anything with SPF 15 or above.
Environments of extreme hot and cold can also be found regardless of what the weather may be outside. Be wary before stepping into a sauna or hot bath, and likewise proceed with caution when dealing with refrigerators, meat lockers, or other intensely cold spaces. If you absolutely must be in one of these places, make sure to protect yourself accordingly.
Keep Your Head Cool..
…In the emotional sense. Flare ups of stress and anxiety are huge rosacea causes, and can translate to patches of redness on your face, and these can become much more severe in individuals living with rosacea. If you find yourself with a difficulty for staying calm, speak with your doctor about consulting with a therapist. Millions across the country have been able to successfully battle chronic anxiety through meeting with these licensed individuals, and when your mind is calm, this tends to reflect accordingly, not just on your face, but throughout the rest of your body as well. Checking in and maintaining peace of mind is one of the best things you can do for yourself, whether you are afflicted with rosacea or not.
Rosacea causes can be a source of frustration for many researchers, due to their mystery and elusiveness. Depending on the individual, some medications can inflict a flare up as well, including medicines for high blood pressure, coughs, fevers, and colds. As the research continues on what exactly is to blame for this condition, the main recommendation from doctors is to remain calm, use common sense, and don’t get too hot headed. And if you do, have creams and medications on hand to deal accordingly.
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