MedicineNet.com
MONDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) — A combination of two abnormal factors cause the common inflammatory skin condition rosacea, a new U.S. study says.

Rosacea, a chronic condition that causes facial redness, affects about 14 million Americans.  Triggers — such as heat, alcohol, spicy foods and embarrassment — that can worsen the condition are well known.  But this is the first study to identify the actual cause of rosacea, the researchers said.  The researchers concluded that overproduction of two interactive inflammatory proteins leads to excessive levels of a third protein that causes rosacea symptoms.

"Too much SCTE (stratum corneum tryptic enzymes) and too much cathelicidin leads to the abnormal peptides that cause the symptoms of this disease," team leader Dr. Richard L. Gallo, professor of medicine and chief of the division of dermatology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

"Antibiotics tend to alleviate the symptoms of rosacea in patients, because some of them work to inhibit these enzymes.  Our findings may modify the therapeutic approach to treating rosacea, since bacteria aren’t the right target," said Gallo.  The study results were published in the Aug. 5 online edition of the journal Nature Medicine.

— Robert Preidt

SkinCareTalks.com
Rosacea vitamins and supplements can be very helpful in controlling your symptoms. Long term use of supplements and vitamins can control symptoms over the long term and help prevent future attacks.  Rosacea is characterized as a chronic skin disease that causes small blood vessels to become visible on the face, resulting in redness and swelling of the cheeks, chin, and forehead, bumps or pimples on the face, and itchy or watery eyes.  Since Rosacea is a chronic condition, Rosacea vitamins and supplements should be continued for an indefinite period of time. Vitamins A and B are effective in controlling Rosacea symptoms, but may need to be taken over a period of a month or more before results are noticeable.

Vitamin C, minerals, and fatty acids may be added to your vitamin regimen if necessary. All Rosacea vitamins and supplements can be taken along with any prescription treatments you may use.  Rosacea begins subtly, and you may not realize you have the disease until the symptoms become painful or severe. Taking control of your Rosacea is imperative if you want to control your outbreaks and symptoms over the long term.

•    Flushing and facial redness that may become more persistent.
•    Dry and flakey skin.
•    Acne-like bumps or pimples on the skin.
•    Telangiectasia, or red lines in the face caused by enlarged blood vessels.
•    Stinging or burning sensations like a mild sunburn.
•    Application of cleansers, cosmetics, or moisturizers may increase the irritation.
•    Rhinophyma, or nasal bumps or areas of thickened skin.

Do you have any of these symptoms?  How do you soothe facial redness? 

April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and in light of the occasion we want to offer you some great resources that should help you better understand the condition and its triggers.  If you understand the triggers, you’re more likely to find a solution that may best suite your needs.

Rosacea is a skin disorder that affects millions of Americans.  It targets the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.  It’s most commonly experienced as chronic redness or blushing.  Without treatment or preventive care, Rosacea can result in severe redness of the skin, bumps, pimples, and itching.  In the most severe cases, a build up of excess tissue (thick and bumpy) on the cheeks or nose may occur.  Rosacea has also been known to affect the eyes, causing chronic redness and irritation.  Your best bet when dealing with Rosacea is first to understand the condition and your skin.  Understanding what triggers irritation (weather, caffeine, hot water, etc.) can help you be more effective at preventing future flareups!

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Lee needs help: “I am a 22 year old male, fair skinned and have facial Ulerythema on my cheeks, it has very sharp distinctive edges.  What camouflage or products would you recommend for me in order to achieve the best results?  Is the camouflage visible to the eye?”

About Ulerythema: A skin condition that primarily affects your cheeks and eyebrows, and may cause these areas to be red and bumpy.  Although the cause is unknown, the effects are lasting.  Ulerythema may cause damage to the follicle resulting hair loss (most commonly the eyebrow) as well as scarring.  The condition does however, usually improve with age.  Ulerythema is most commonly found within children and young adults.

Treatment: Most medical treatments for this condition have been unrewarding, however products containing salicylic acid or lactic acid may be helpful in providing short term relief.  Sun protection is highly recommended, frequent exposure to UV aggravates the skin’s delicate condition.

Skinplistic focused on three products that would be effective for this type of camouflage, however the techniques and products we discuss will also be relevant to other camo-concerns.

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