Everything you need to know about rosacea, rosacea, and how to treat them
In this article we will explain the symptoms, causes and how to treat rosacea properly after a dermatological consultation. Let’s start.
What is rosacea couperose?
Couperose is a French term and indicates a fairly common chronic dermatitis that manifests as intense redness of the face combined with severe burning and itching sensations predominantly on the central areas of the face such as the cheeks, nose, cheekbones, chin, and sometimes the eyes and eyelids.
This type of dermatitis develops more in women, between the ages of 30 and 60, affecting the most sensitive skin, easily irritated and prone to capillary fragility. Capillaries affected during the disease outbreak are supplied by the arteriolar circulation, so they will appear much redder and thinner than those in the legs.
Couperose can be thought of as the result of repeated inflammation of the skin that can worsen and result in a full-blown dermatosis, rosacea.
Rosacea presents as a seborrheic, paupular, pustular dermatitis, which can also be called acne rosacea precisely because of its acne-like appearance but differs from acne in the absence of comedones and in the age of onset.
Symptoms and classification of rosacea couperose
As was mentioned earlier, the most obvious symptoms of rosacea are:
- redness
- warm skin
- itching
- small dilated capillaries
distributed in the central areas of the face, the cheeks, chin, nose, cheekbones, and in severe cases also the eye district (this type of inflammation is called Arlt’s Ocular Rosacea).
Couperose is classified according to its progressive worsening and is divided into stages. Sometimes it is possible for a moderately severe stage to occur early in the disease uncoupled from previous stages.
This is precisely why a dermatologic consultation is necessary for an accurate and specific diagnosis of the problem and to prevent an advanced stage of rosacea or even rosacea from being confused with another skin disease (e.g., juvenile acne, late acne, seborrheic dermatitis).
The 4 stages of rosacea couperose:
- Erythematous-Teleangectasic
Sudden and momentary reddening of the skin, a tingling sensation, and the appearance during the months following the event of small capillaries on the face that will become more and more evident with each reddening. This type of capillaries is called telangiectasia. - Papulo-Pustular
In addition to the constant redness and telangiectasias, there are papules (small round red thickenings) or pustules. It differs from acne in the absence of comedones or blackheads. - Fimatosa
The skin begins to thicken presenting reddened nodules-placques especially on the nose, thus generating rhinophyma, but it can also occur around the mouth, on the cheekbones or forehead. - Eyepiece
The infection also sometimes affects the eyes by presenting swelling on the eyelids (blepharitis), conjunctivitis and keratitis. Excessive aggravation of the disease could lead to decreased vision and surgery by the ophthalmologist.
The causes of rosacea and how to treat it
The definite causes of rosacea couperose are not yet known, but there are different hypotheses aimed at recognizing the origin of this disease.
Genetics
Some studies have identified genetic markers that create a kind of favorable substrate for the disease; in fact, a familial predisposition is estimated in 30 percent of cases. Those most affected are women and particularly those with very fair complexions.
Intestinal imbalance
When the number of microbiota, a collection of fungi, bacteria, and viruses in the gut, increases, the permeability of the gut is altered allowing microbiota to leak into the bloodstream. These germs can cause inflammation and vasodilation on the skin.
Infection
It is thought to be the main cause of rosacea rosacea derived from the presence of Demodex, a mite that lives in the sebaceous glands. Under normal conditions it causes no discomfort, but it could lead to inflammation because of a symbiotic germ within it called Bacillus Oleronius.
Psycho-neurogenic cause
Couperose is fueled by anxieties, insecurities, and internal conflicts that cause bouts of vasodilation, which alters the structure of the skin and allows the formation of papules and telangiectasias.
Environment and drugs
There is evidence thatexcessive sun exposure without proper protection can promote and exacerbate rosacea just as certain antihypertensive, vasodilator or cortisone medications.
To prevent the appearance of rosacea couperose or its progression, it is recommended:
- Avoid a diet rich in coffee, alcohol, fried foods and too much heat
- avoid aggressive cosmetics
- Use face protection during both warm and cold months
- Cleanse the skin with non-foaming products
- Avoid close contact with wool on the neck and face
- Include substances in the diet that promote microcirculation
- avoid temperature changes
Unfortunately, rosacea is a persistent disease and tends to recur, but with the right diagnosis by an experienced dermatologist and subsequent dermatological treatments, the disease can be stemmed and controlled.
Couperose-rosacea should never be underestimated; it could lead to minor skin deformities that are often aesthetically unappealing. To avoid reaching deformities and blemishes, it is inadvisable to implement DIY therapy with products and lotions not indicated by a dermatologist.
If you experience prolonged redness and the presence of small dilated capillaries on your face, do not hesitate to contact our dermatology office and book a consultation at 212 Via Cola di Rienzo (Prati area), Rome.
