What is Rosacea?

Did you know that what you thought might be acne could actually be rosacea?

Getting flushed after drinking a glass of wine or when you feel embarrassed is certainly very commonplace; however, if you notice that your nose and cheeks are often bright red and it’s accompanied by little bumps that look like acne, then you could be dealing with rosacea. Unfortunately, most people mistake their rosacea for acne and other skin problems, but our Glendora, CA, dermatologist Dr. Amarpaul Sidhu can easily detect and treat your rosacea.

What are the warning signs?

How can you tell if you’re dealing with rosacea, acne, or something else altogether? It isn’t always easy to tell skin problems apart, which is why it’s always a good idea to schedule an evaluation with our Glendora, CA, dermatologist if you feel stumped by your symptoms. Rosacea symptoms can manifest differently for everyone. People with rosacea most often experience,

• Flushing of the skin particularly the cheeks, nose, and chin
• Persistent redness of the skin
• Dry, rough, scaly skin
• Flushing that burns or stings (it may feel as if you have a sunburn)
• Small but visible blood vessels on the surface of the skin
• Little red bumps that look like pimples
• Grainy, irritated eyes

What triggers rosacea flare-ups? 

Several things could cause your rosacea to rear its ugly head. Some triggers include,

• Heat
• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• Stress
• Sun exposure
• Wind and cold
• Exercise
• Certain skincare products

To figure out what could be triggering your symptoms it’s a good idea to keep a journal for a couple of weeks to document what you ate or drank, your habits and lifestyle, and the products you used on your skin to determine what could be triggering flare-ups. Bring this symptom journal with you to our initial evaluation.

How is rosacea treated? 

The type and severity of your symptoms will determine the treatment or treatment options we recommend. There are various ways to help manage your symptoms while also reducing the likelihood for flare-ups including,

• Lifestyle changes to reduce exposure to triggers (e.g., avoiding alcohol and spicy foods; limiting time outdoors during cold or windy days)
• Medications used to target and treat persistent facial redness (e.g., Mirvaso)
• Topical medications that help with redness, flushing, and pimple-like bumps
• Antibiotics to reduce inflammation
• Immunosuppressants (for more severe and unresponsive cases of rosacea)
• Laser or pulsed-light therapy to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and flushing

Whether you think you’re experiencing symptoms of rosacea or you’ve already been diagnosed but you’re looking for a better way to address your personalized skin needs, don’t hesitate to call Foothill Dermatology Medical Center in Glendora, CA, at (626) 852-3376 to book an evaluation with Dr. Sidhu.