The Ocular Rosacea Picture

Ocular Rosacea is an inflammatory eye condition often associated with rosacea. Ocular rosacea can cause a persistent burning or gritty feeling in the eyes. Ocular rosacea may also manifest itself as inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps, eyelashes that may fall out, compounded by bloodshot eyes (Dr. Thiboutot). The ophthalmic signs of ocular rosacea can vary widely, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The term ophthalmic or ocular rosacea covers all these signs. The most frequent signs, which may never progress to a more severe condition, are chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts; quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which ocular rosacea is often confused. Pain and light sensitivity may also be present. The ocular complications of rosacea are independent of the severity of facial rosacea (Drs. Gerd Plewig & Albert M. Kligman).

The Picture of Rosacea Daily Care

In addition to medical therapy, a gentle twice-daily facial cleansing routine can help keep your rosacea under control. Here are some tips that will leave your skin clean without aggravating your condition.
Use a very mild soap or non-soap cleanser. Any products that might irritate skin are not useful.


Massage cleanser with your fingertips. A soft pad or washcloth may also be gently used, but patients should avoid rough or abrasive materials, loofahs, brushes or sponges.


Rinse the face with lukewarm water. Avoid temperature extremes, especially hot water, which may cause flushing.


Dry the face gently. Blot with a soft and thick cotton towel. Never pull, tug, scrape or scratch.


Air dry before applying medication. Let your face dry until surface moisture is gone. Then apply any topical medication that has been prescribed. Let the face dry again before using any moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup or other skin-care products.


Don't view comments as negative. Most reactions to rosacea are simply caused by curiosity and ignorance of the disorder, rather than some negative intent. Turn these situations into positive educational opportunities by openly discussing your condition.


Knowledge leads to understanding. Taking the initiative to inform others about rosacea can put them at ease. At an opportune time, casually mention you have rosacea, a chronic facial condition that affects millions of Americans and is becoming more prevalent as the baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages.


Describe the changing rosacea condition. Explain how rosacea causes redness, bumps and pimples that may come and go, and can become worse during a flare-up. Pass along that rosacea is not contagious and that you try to control the condition with medication and by avoiding personal rosacea triggers.


Dispel myths. Mistakenly, some people associate red faces and noses with heavy drinking, and the acne-like signs of rosacea with poor hygiene. Point out that both are untrue in the case of rosacea. Rosacea is unrelated to hygiene and, while alcohol can aggravate the disorder, the signs and symptoms can be just as severe in a teetotaler.


Avoid irritating skin-care products. Eliminate or find alternatives for any skin-care products that sting, burn, irritate or cause redness.

Dry Skin and The Rosacea Picture

In addition to the visible symptoms of rosacea, many sufferers report yet another problem -- dry skin, which often results in itching, burning and stinging sensations.

A recent multicenter clinical trial of 128 rosacea patients found that 58 percent experienced dry skin, making it potentially more difficult to treat because of the irritation and sensitivity. However, study results showed that the number of patients reporting dry skin was dramatically reduced after 12 weeks of therapy with a moisturizing cream. Just 22 percent of the patients experienced dryness after 12 weeks, and only 3 percent reported stinging, burning or itching.

Rosacea usually appears after age 30, when skin tends to become drier and more easily irritated. Water-based moisturizers and non-drying medications or other skin products are good choices for rosacea sufferers with dry skin.

Changing the Appearance of Rosacea

One of the biggest daily challenges for rosacea sufferers is keeping their facial redness in check. Here are some ways you can tone down rosacea redness.

Try camouflaging makeup. There are several green-tinted foundations, concealer sticks and even green-tinted moisturizers on the market. The green color helps counter the red appearance, and can be used under other skin-tone foundations.


Use good fashion sense when selecting your wardrobe. Plain black and white will accentuate your redness. Try wearing softer hues like blues, yellows, khakis and other neutral colors.


Don't sunburn. Sun exposure is the most common tripwire for rosacea flare-ups. Protect your skin from the sun each day, year-round, with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Try non-oily or pediatric formulations if your skin is sensitive.


Avoid skin-care products that sting. Rosacea sufferers have reported that some skin-care products can burn or sting, causing redness and flare-ups. Stop using any product that causes this sensation.


Follow daily therapy. Use your medication each day as prescribed and avoid lifestyle factors that cause flushing and redness in your individual case.

The Seasonal Rosacea Picture

Many rosacea patients report that changing seasons are hard on their condition, and it's possible your rosacea is affected by environmental factors that are more pervasive during these times. In the fall you may be exposed to colder temperatures, more frequent windy days and perhaps more stress because of holiday commitments, all of which can be rosacea tripwires. In the spring, your rosacea may be aggravated by increased sun and outdoor activity.

You may want to keep a diary during the fall and spring to pinpoint and then avoid what may be causing flare-ups for you during these seasons.

New Horizons in the Rosacea Treatment Picture

I am pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of review and
approval for an exciting grant. We can't say yet what the topic is, but we
are confident that our supporters will be delighted with the grant and the
new opportunities for discovery and pathways into rosacea that it will
open.

We are hopeful that we can announce the title within a fortnight. The
grant has already been through rigorous review, and should emerge from the
final reviews and processing shortly. We expect that all of the currently
available funds will go towards this grant.

I'd like to sincerely thank all of our supporters for their generosity, we
can all be proud of what we have achieved.

regards,
davidp.
--
David Pascoe,
President, Rosacea Research Foundation, http://www.rosacea-research.org
mailto:david.pascoe@...

THE ROSCEA SKIN CARE PICTURE

Consider the bodys largest organ: the skin.

It protects our internal organs against injury and infection.

It works as a cooling system that helps us regulate our body temperature.

It contains a network that relays important sensations ranging including pain to pleasure, and its a daily reminder of our genetic heritage and physical health. The skin also reveals our personal history with scars, freckles, moles and wrinkles.

For some people, the skin is just there. They dont worry about aging or sunburn or myriad skin-related ailments. Theyre fortunate that way. These are the people who didnt have pimples in high school, arent overweight and always tan evenly.

For the rest of us, those who risk a sunburn even while wearing SPF 30, we might need a little guidance in taking care of our largest organ. As always, the library is the best place to start with research:

- Superskin, by Kathryn Marsden. The inspiration for this book came from the authors years of depression and misery caused by skin problems doctors could not resolve. Marsden is a nutritionist with more than a decade of practitioner experience. Her book is full of essential tips for skin care and provides a tailored natural health strategy.

- Total Skin: The Definitive Guide to Whole Skin Care for Life, by Dr. David J. Leffell. This book addresses topics including how to look younger, how to detect skin cancer, vitamin Es effects on scars, treatment for skin infections, allergies and other irritations, whether facials will improve skin quality and safety issues involving liposuction.

- A Dermatologists Guide to Home Skin Treatment, by Dr. William Dvorine. Many of the problems for which dermatologists are consulted can easily be treated at home. Dvorine tells you what he would prescribe for the most common skin ailments, which ones you can take care of yourself and which ones require a visit to the doctor.

- Naturally Healthy Skin, by Stephanie Tourles. The book includes dozens of healing recipes made from natural ingredients, such as essential oils, fruits, herbs and flowers. It includes solutions to common skin problems, including acne, age spots, eczema, hives, psoriasis, rosacea and sunburn; tips for enhancing skin health with vitamins and whole-food supplements; and the authors daily beauty rituals.

- Great Face With Zia Wesley-Hosford. This video features basic skin care and do-it-yourself facials, plus tips for acupressure face lifts and other face-saving techniques.

- Face Fitness: A Mans Guide to Looking His Best, by Daniel Eastman.

- Holistic Skin Is ... In: How to Care for Your Skin Topically, Through Natural and Holistic Ways, by Dalia Santina, Ph.D.

THE ACNE / ACNE ROSACEA PICTURE

Acne is broken down into two categories, being Acne Vulgaris and Acne Rosacea.

Acne Vulgaris
* The skin is inflamed and often red and sore
* Pustules, papules and comedones are present
* Commonly appears around the face, nose, chin and cheeks.

Acne Rosacea
* Is purplish in complexion, due to dilated capillaries from the blood circulation slowing down
* Excess oiliness and course skin texture
* Nose and cheek area will be inflamed (this is commonly known as the Butterfly pattern and appears over the nose area)
* This condition can be aggravated by spicy food, emotional stress, alcohol etc

The Papulopustular Rosacea Picture

Subtype 2 rosacea is defined as Papulopustular rosacea. The clinical picture of papulopustular rosacea is characterized by persistent central facial erythema with transient papules or pustules or both in a central facial distribution. However, papules and pustules also may occur periorificially (that is, they may occur in the perioral, perinasal, or periocular areas). The papulopustular subtype resembles acne vulgaris, except that comedones are absent. Rosacea and acne may occur concomitantly, and such patients may have comedones as well as the papules and pustules of rosacea. Burning and stinging sensations may be reported by patients with papulopustular rosacea.

This subtype has often been seen after or in combination with subtype 1, including the presence of telangiectases. The telangiectases may be obscured by persistent erythema, papules, or pustules, and tend to become more visible after successful treatment of these masking components.