Some also say Couperose or "Curse of the Celts"
Sometimes it is even quite charming: the glowing cheeks after the first glass of wine, the rising heat when speaking to colleagues. But the line between blushing in embarrassing situations and the recurring stress or hectic spots is narrow. Many know this sudden blushing, the queasy feeling when the unsightly spots suddenly appear on the face. What colleagues and friends smile about at the beginning or even comment with an "Oh, it's totally cute", eventually becomes a mental burden. That is when the stains become more violent or in the end don't go away at all and you constantly run around with a kind of light bulb.
What is rosacea?
The problem with which so many are afflicted is called rosacea / rosacea and is a skin disease, estimated to be four million Germans, mostly women by the way, are affected. The name rosacea / rosacea goes back to its appearance, the reddening of the face is reminiscent of the blooming of rose plants (rosaceus, Latin: rose colored). It is considered one of the most common skin diseases in adulthood. In Germany, about two to five percent of adults are affected by rosacea. Women fall ill more often than men, and the predisposition to rosacea is inheritable. The disease develops in batches, is chronic and is considered incurable. The skin looks red, sometimes burns or itches, and small poplars can appear. Initially, the redness subsides (then one speaks of a couperose), later it persists. The symptoms are more pronounced in men. They often develop a later stage of this skin disease Rhinophyma, A red, bulbous thickening of the tip of the nose. Affected people suffer extremely from this bulbous nose.
Rosacea is also known as the "curse of the Celts" – because it mainly affects people with soft, light, freckled skin and reddish-blonde hair, the so-called "Celtic skin types". Those affected tend to show visible veins, reddened skin on the cheeks, nose and forehead, which can even take on a slightly purple shimmer as rosacea progresses.
Causes of rosacea
There are different theories that explain rosacea. Despite decades of research, the causes of rosacea are not yet clear. The most likely theory: there is a genetic predisposition. The immune system reacts particularly strongly to stimuli and releases many messenger substances. These lead to an inflammatory reaction in the connective tissue and on the vessels of the facial skin. The result: the reddening of the face increases, the veins become wide and visible. If rosacea progresses, pimples develop, and the skin looks porous like that of an orange. In addition to the genetic cause, Sylvia Lermann points out in her book "Rosacea under control immediately" for further triggers of rosacea:
"There is a whole journey of possible causes under discussion, starting with defects in the immune system, nervous system and blood vessels in the face, through the sudden increase in microbes and hair follicle mites."
New studies provethat "Hair follicle mites”, The so-called“ demodex mites ”, can play a role in the development of rosacea. The density of Demodex mites on the skin is often higher in those affected by rosacea than on healthy skin. This can lead to increased blood circulation and an inflammatory reaction in the form of redness, pimples or nodules. Because when the mites die, they release bacteria into the skin tissuethat favor inflammatory processes and dilate vessels. If this finding is proven in further research, scientists can develop active substances against this bacterium.
Are you just getting good blood or are you already getting rosacea signals?
But rosacea may now be prevented by a new formula: a cream that has been shown to reduce redness, make the vessels less visible and also preventive. "It is not only possible to reduce the symptoms, but also to delay or prevent episodes of illness," says Privatdozent Dr. Thomas Jansen from the University Hospital Essen. The renowned dermatologist and rosacea expert has been researching the causes and therapies of the skin disease for years and has launched the new cream for La Roche-Posay "Rosaliac AR Intense" accompanied. "This is the first product on the market that combats both redness and inflammation and extreme skin sensitivity," says Jansen.
A real step forward, because so far only a concealing, green makeup-Basis. Medications prescribed by the family doctor, antibiotic or anti-inflammatory creams do well to combat the pustules and swelling that frequently occur with rosacea, but reddening and visible veins persist, as does many of them annoying burning and stinging of the skin.
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What does the dermatologist prescribe?
If the dermatologist diagnoses rosacea, he often prescribes a combination of two preparations: one Metro cream, which contains the active substance metronidazole, and an antibiotic. Important to know: the skin condition of most patents improves during ingestion – if you stop taking the preparations that have side effects, the condition of the skin worsens. Many dermatologists recommend one Rosacea diaryto find out what is good for the patient – and what can possibly promote a rosacea episode. Dermatologists also advise on care strategies, active ingredients in preparations and can precisely assess the stage of the disease and its course.
Care is the most important thing for rosacea
If you just found the winter walk or the sprint to the bus rosy cheeks, you definitely don't need to worry. "If the recurring blush is caused by alcohol, stress, heat or spicy food and lasts about 15 minutes, it is very likely that rosacea is beginning," explains dermatologist Jansen. The skin then requires particularly careful care:
- You should definitely avoid peeling, overly oily creams and ingredients such as alcohol in cosmetics.
- Because the skin is extremely sensitive to the sun, a high one is recommended Sun protection factor.
- Circulating facial massages over the nose, cheeks and forehead for a few minutes in the morning and evening can alleviate the swelling.
- And of course it is important to avoid personal triggers as much as possible.
But that is not always possible: Who would want to do without the deliciously hot curry or the beloved red wine? The simplest emergency aid in the worst-case scenario is then a Coolpack for the face or some cold water – so the heated cheeks cool down quickly.
Basically, you should be careful with everything that promotes blood circulation:
- Saunas
- hot drinks
- alcohol
- spicy food
- Creams with essential oils
- strong sun exposure
And what do you do about it? Use of lasers
A so-called flash lamp (IPL) or a laser can help in severe cases. We explain to you in our special about Couperose which lasers are the most effective. A cream for redness is for example "Rosaliac AR Intense" from La Roche-Posay, an intensive serum u. a. with Ambophenol, a natural extract that reduces the visibility of red veins and strengthens the walls of the vessels, as well as the skin-calming active ingredients neurosensine and thermal water. Day care "Anti-redness" von Eucerin laminated with green pigments, protects against UV rays and is a good make-up base (red neutralizes green because it is the complementary color). Even the compact make-up "Couverance corrector fluid" von Avène covers with green pigments. (More information on the website of Deutsche Rosazea Hilfe e.V .: www.rosazeahilfe.de) There are now various "Color Correcting" product serieswho want to cover redness with green pigments in day creams, but also in make-up products such as concealers or primers.
Diet for permanent redness
Foods that support healthy skin include citrus, watermelon, grapes, tomatoes, green salads, and vegetables. They contain vitamin Cthat helps produce collagen. Another nutrient for healthy skin is anti-inflammatory Omage-3 fatty acid, for example, in flax seeds, chia and hemp seeds, walnuts, avocado, pumpkin and wild salmon. Also have a soothing effect Spices like coriander, cardamom, saffron and fennel. Avoid inflammation-promoting foods such as sugar, refined oils, wheat – milk is also controversial.
The stages of rosacea
In the first stage rosacea (Rosacea erythemato-teleangiectatica) only reddening of the skin mostly occurs on the cheeks or nose, occasionally also on the chin and forehead. The spontaneous blush is called flushing, it can last for hours (if you come from the cold into a heated room, for example) or it can occur permanently when the enlarged vessels no longer contract.
In the second stage (Rosacea papulopustulosa) then appear in addition to the vasodilatation nodules and pus. For example, the papules and pustules have the same appearance as the skin prone to acne, but with rosacea the pores are not clogged, the skin is often dry and non-greasy and the rosacea pimples leave no scars. This stage can last for several years.
In the third stage the disease (Rosacea hypertrophica) connective tissue and sebum glands proliferate. With severe rosacea, the skin can thicken and excess tissue can form. From the so-called Rhinophyma usually affects the nose. Visually, the impression is of a large tuber, which falsely creates the impression that the people affected are alcoholics. This medical phenomenon mostly affects older men. This often affects those affected physically and mentally. It can also become a Involvement of the eyes come, which can manifest itself in dry eyes or an inflammation. This form of rosacea (Rosacea ophthalmo) should be accompanied by an ophthalmologist, because various eye infections can occur on the conjunctiva, the edge of the lid or the iris – rarely also the cornea.
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