THE ROSACEA -ACNE CONNECTION

The picture of rosacea can never be complete without undersdtanding the connection between acne and rosacea. The two conditions can occur together or separately.

Adult Acne co-exists with Rosacea in approximately 82% of sufferers. Adult acne, sometimes referred to as "Acne Rosacea", involves the presence of acne pimples. Acne rosacea is definitely food-related and stress-related. Stress and fatigue cause increased production of hormones by the adrenal gland with increased levels of androgens. These hormones worsens acne. And in women adult acne usually gets worse a week before the menstrual period as the natural estrogen in the body is reduced and as the estrogen increases during the menses; the menstrual period ends as the estrogen reaches the normal level. Acne rosacea often evolves from an irritated acne skin that has been abused with aggressive prolonged acne treatment. Acne rosacea usually develops in the 30's to 40's and the treatment is more delicate as often what improves the acne further stresses the rosacea. Please note that acne pimples with pus resulting from bacteria are 'not' rosacea papules which do not have pus but a raised "red" lesion that usually does not change in any way for weeks or months.

Many of the acne treatments and anti-wrinkle products that have been used in the past have lead to rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis while the acne continues to be a problem. And likewise, the range of rosacea treatments have often resulted in little rosacea improvement and may even cause more symptoms thus dermatologist state that "rosacea is a chronic progressive skin disease". Most dermatologists have been baffled by rosacea and its treatment, and call rosacea an "enigma". Others state the treatment of rosacea is one of the least understood skin diseases. As the traditional treatments fail, alternative therapies have gained respect in the treatment of rosacea of which 82% of rosacea patients also have acne, and 35% have seborrheic dermatitis which makes for a delicate skin treatment condition when a person has two skin disorders, and even more so when a person has rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne. Treatment can also be achieved naturally without using harsh chemicals.