Rosacea
Rosacea, pronounced "roh-ZAY-sha", is a very common and chronic skin condition. Your Houston rosacea experts can help you understand and treat this distressing condition. Often times, it begins with a tendency to blush and flush more easily than other people. The redness and flushing typically begins in the nose and cheeks, and with time it spreads to the forehead and chin area. In more severe cases, the ears, back, and chest can be affected.
Rosacea is more than just redness though. It can cause several signs and symptoms, and it is therefore broken down into 4 different subtypes:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels.
Papulopustular rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts.
Phymatous rosacea: Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture.
Ocular rosacea: Eyes red and irritated, eyelids can be swollen, and person may have what looks like a sty (stye).
Rosacea can affect anybody, but often times it will appear some time in a person's twenties or thirties and progressively worsen. Over time, the redness can become deeper, or ruddier, and more persistent, and visible blood vessels (telangiectasias) may appear. If it is left untreated, pimples can develop. In severe cases, the nose can become swollen and bumpy from excess tissue, in a condition caused rhinophyma.
Rosacea can affect all skin types, though individuals with fair skin are at greater risk. Men and women are both affected, but women are diagnosed more frequently. More severe symptoms such as rhinophymatous change of the nose can sometimes be seen in men.
