Rosacea

Rosacea is a disorder that involves the blood vessels, leads to formation of acne-like lesions, and growth of certain glands. The vessels of the central face, including the nose, cheek, eyelids, and forehead, dilate, causing redness. Initially, patients with rosacea have a tendency to flush easily and this can progress to persistent redness. Certain foods, beverages, and changes in mood or temperature may exacerbate the redness. Later, small blood vessels (telangiectasias) and tiny pimples begin to appear on and around the reddened area. Rosacea can sometimes be confused with acne vulgaris; however, in rosacea, there are no blackheads present as in acne. A rhinophyma may form in advanced cases of rosacea due to enlargement of the glands, causing a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks. Rosacea may also involve the eyes 50 percent of the time. Patients may experience conjunctivitis, which is a burning and grittiness of the eyes. Rosacea is a chronic disorder that is best prevented by avoiding irritants and triggers. To avoid further breakouts and progression, the patient must adhere to a pharmacologic regimen for maintenance therapy.

Those most likely at risk for rosacea are between the ages of 30 and 60 who have fair skin, light hair, and light eye color. Females experience this disorder more frequently than males. Males are more likely to have advanced cases that will lead to rhinophyma.

The etiology of the vessel dilation in rosacea has not yet been ascertained, but some studies have theorized that hair follicle mites—Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis—may cause the inflammatory lesions. Some studies show that people with rosacea have more mites in their skin versus the skin of patients who do not have rosacea.

Patients with rosacea have increased susceptibility to facial flushing, often provoked by hot drinks, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. Other aggravating events include extreme temperatures, emotional [Page 1501]reactions, rubbing the face, and using irritating cosmetics/facial products. The flushing may cause some embarrassment in social settings, and patients may often be told that they have “rosy cheeks.”

The first stage of rosacea is characterized by facial erythema and telangectasias. The patient can progress to the second stage, characterized by sebaceous gland growth that leads to papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules. These inflammatory lesions are similar to the ones seen in acne vulgaris, with the exception of a lack of comedones (blackheads). Also, patients with acne usually lack telangiectasias. The patient may also experience burning and stinging sensations of the face. In the advanced stages, there is involvement of the eyes and rhinophyma.

Classification of rosacea can aid in treatment. The erythematotelangiectatic subtype is characterized by facial reddening, and also associated with stinging and burning symptoms. The papulopustular subtype is the classic presentation, and is characterized by small papules and pustules, with redness of the middle part of the face.

The area around the eyes and mouth are usually not affected. The glandular subtype presents with enlargement of the sebaceous glands. The papulopustular and the glandular can progress to a phymatous subtype, which causes the skin to form nodules and become thick. The final subtype is ocular rosacea, and is characterized by irritation and inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) as well as conjunctivitis. This may be confused for a bacterial infection or chemical irritation of the eyes.

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