Diagnosing Roscacea?

[stb09]

I'm trying to figure out what exactly constitutes "Rosacea" so I can begin to figure out if I have it.

With all my research on the internet, all of the information I can find on the subject seems to be in conflict. In one spot, Rosacea will be described as flushing and severe facial redness with acne like lesions, in another it's just redness of the face. Some sites, (including many posts on this one) seem to go as far as to say that absolutely any redness on the face at all, or tendency to blush is Rosacea.

From my understanding, this condition affects somewhere in the range of about 1/20 people, or 5% of the population.

If the above descriptions of Rosacea are true, then I'd wager much closer to... everyone has it. There's hardly a person I know that doesn't turn a bit on the red side after drinking. Under the descriptions of Rosacea, this would mean that person had it. I don't know many people that don't get a little red in the face/neck/ears/chest when they're exercising really hard, or sweating a lot. But apparently this too means they have Rosacea?

I can't figure out if there's a difference between just.. having a ruddy complexion, and suffering from Rosacea. I'm a 23 year old male, and I'm very fair skinned. My cheeks are always permanently a bit pink, as is the bridge of my nose. This tends to get a little redder when I drink, or exercise, or sweat profusely, but that's about it. My face never burns, or stings (though does feel warm to the touch sometimes when it's extra red).

I've always just chalked this redness up to... well, having what people call "color in the face." No one has ever commented on it before, and my Dermetologists never mentioned the word "Rosacea" to me in the last few years when I was being treated for acne. Though, on my most recent visit about a year ago, the dermetologist said I had a "ruddy complexion, and might be a candidate for Rosacea later in life."

Essentially, I'm just trying to figure out if I have this or not without having to go to yet another Dermetologist to get yet another conflicting opinion. I could post some pictures, but that doesn't seem to be helping the people in the photo section. Some of them seem to have a seriously genuine problem, and others just have the slightest bit of permanent color on the cheeks or nose, which seems extremely common in my opinion.

[rwilliamson320]

I know what your saying.

I could of not said it better myself.

[sleepylea]

There are websites (and doctors guides) that can put Rosacea into 3 severities. here is a weblink that gives you the guides http://www.rosacea.org/class/ you will have to open up the file. Take a look, and it will give you the three gradings of rosacea. If your concerned it is Rosacea, and if the derm has put in your notes that you could be a sufferer in later life, why not talk to them about it, and what it could mean for you? What to look out for etc.

[redhotoz]

Hi stb09

Yeah, it can be confusing! You are right that most people will blush when drinking alcohol or exercising. Flushing is a more persistent blush that can take a lot longer to subside. I think of the times I used to go to the gym and do a hard work out and wondered why I appeared to be the only one working so damned hard, since my face was a brilliant shade of red! LOL Of course, eveyone else was working out just as hard...it was just me with this stupid Rosacea that made the difference!

Flushing can also bring on burning or stinging but I'm not sure if this happens to everyone. My face also used to throb and swell. A couple of times it was hard to see, as the skin had swollen up around my eyes. Not much fun at all!!!

I also get papules and pustules and have a family history of Rhinophyma - lucky me NOT! At least most of my symptoms have been lessened with the natural healing diet I am on and the use of red light therapy at home.

Rosacea can also affect the eyes, where they become red, sore and gritty feeling, like there is a foreign object in your eyes. I've had that from time to time but nothing that I worry about. Ah, in fact, come to think if it, i haven't had that 'foreign object' feeling for months now. Yeay! :D

Many nationalities can have that ruddy redness in the face, the healthy glow. This does not necessarily mean it is Rosacea, however, if given the right external or internal triggers, it may just take it one step further to Rosacea.

Funny you mentioned the photo section. I know the photo I posted was a good one of my face, as what I had started doing made a huge improvement. When I post an up-date photo, I will try to dig out an old before pic to make comparision over the entire time. Although, I have to say, not many of us have or want to share those types of photos!

I think for you, perhaps keeping a diary of what is happening with your face might help. That way you can consider whether you feel your symptoms are early signs of Rosacea or just a healthy red glow. For your sake, I truly hope it's the latter!

Jen

[stb09]

"Many nationalities can have that ruddy redness in the face, the healthy glow."

This is what's confusing me. How does one tell the difference between a ruddy redness in the face, or healthy glow, and someone who is suffering from, or in the early stages of Rosacea?

Furthermore, while I do agree that most people blush from drinking/exercising (and this is true, I'm in a huge college. Every time I go to a party, 8/10 of the white kids have the red face going on, and the same is true on a hot day when people are sweating)

... some sites with information go as far as to say that ANY redness from drinking/exercising/being hot is Rosacea. Which would mean 90% of the caucasian population has it.

And if "flushing" is "persistent blushing" I really don't know what the difference is.


And I would like to go back to my dermetologist, but I don't have insurance, and I'd prefer not to pay the man $80 so he could tell me nothing helpful at all.

[redhotoz]

I am not sure which sites stated "ANY redness from drinking/exercising/being hot is Rosacea." This is not correct.

Oh, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Rosacean skin can be very sensitive. I used to be able to use any skin care products on my face (and I usually bought whatever was on special at Coles) but my skin started to react to the products. I could no longer use a toner on my skin as it would burn.

Anyway, I'm not sure what else to say really. Maybe others will be able to give you more ideas.

Jen

[claudia]

Hi stb09 ---

I agree with everyone above that rosacea can be very confusing to diagnose, especially in the very early stages in younger people. I'd say most of us older rosaceans experienced years of misdiagnosis and consequently did things to our skin that made it worse later. Whether you have rosacea or not you may want to do some of the following cause if nothing else you'll have healthier skin now and later!

Avoid the sun between 10-4.
Use sunscreen (for sensitive skin).
Use skin care products made for sensitive skin (...says it on the label).
Wash with tepid water (...not too hot or too cold).
Eat as healthy as you can --- lots of fresh foods.
Avoid junk foods especially pop, sugar, white flour, etc.
Limit use of alcohol.
Drink tons of water!
Avoid harsh acne products --- if necessary use products designed for sensitive skin.

Hope this helps!

[stb09]

Yes, I've heard that sensitive skin can be a symptom. My skin's not too sensitive, luckily. I dunno, I'd like to be able to go out into the sun, as I said I'm extremely fair except for a bit of redness in the face, and I was hoping getting a nice tan might off set that a bit.

[keisha06]

I had a tiny bit of redness high on both cheeks - due to many other situations in my life that had occured in the previous few years it was not my top priority. My skin did not seem overly sensitive or anything to be concerned about. Then wham - within about 3 weeks I was flushing severely (personal opionion is it was likely set off by hormones as I don't know of anything else that would have done so) and painfully.

I worked with a lady who has had rosacea for about 13 years - you would never know it. She uses metrocreame and that keeps any redness at bay. Only flushes a bit if she works out really hard for like about an hour.

I worked with another lady who has it as well - she had the "typical" red butterfly mask but very little flushing, no p&p's etc.

I also now work with a fellow that has it - some redness, broken viens and a little flushing and he doesn't treat it at all.

Strange condition with so many different symptoms - it can make it very difficult to diagnose and treat. But I agree that if there is even a suspicion - be very kind and gentle with your skin so that if it is rosacea, it doesn't suddenly progress.

[Kelvweb]

Stbo9-

I am so glad you asked the questions you did above. I always wonder about the same stuff and if I really have rosacea.

A makeup up artist told me that 90% of her clients have some redness/ruddiness on their faces. Makeup women wear usually hide it.

A roomful of nurses once told me how healthy I look because my cheeks are so rosy.

I think it can be a very thin line between natural ruddiness and mild rosacea.[/u]

[Froggirl]

I had this exact conversation with my doctor today. His view was that some people have naturally hypersensative blood vessels and some people get this with rosacea. He said that there is no sure fire way to diagnose Rosacea in someone like myself who just flushes badly. Mainly because rosacea is not a disease but rather a collection of symptoms caused by many different factors and so much is still unknown.

He has many patients whose blushing, flushing or rosy cheeks is completely benign and others for who it is an early sign of rosacea.

The advice from Claudia is spot on, if you are at all unsure, treat your skin as if you have rosacea. None of that advice will cause you any harm if you don't have it and will do the world of good if you do.

[IowaDavid]

Forget Dr. Nase's odd behavior of late, he did have a good definition of rosacea some years back:

You need:

a) a propensity toward flushing

and

b) a genetic predisposition such that your facial vasculature is unable to handle the increased flushing.

So, people with blushing disorders don't necessarily get rosacea--they simply blush (however problematic that is, not to discount this disorder).

But if you're a flusher or blusher, and you have the "right" mix of genes, your flushing/blushing disorder will devolve into true rosacea.

It's akin to cancer tumors in that you get deformed, unchecked progressive vasculature growth. Only, it's your face and not a tumor somewhere inside you.

The thin barrier of your facial skin allows those already reactive blood vessels to endure more environmental and systemic insults, and it falls into a downward spiral--assuming you don't take care of yourself.

Best of luck. :)

David

[Kelvweb]

I just wanted to say hi Iowa David. I have lived in Iowa-Dubuque. My father used to work for John Deere.

[purplesarah]

The way I see it, is regardless of whether you have natural redness or if you have Rosacea, it is what an individual constitutes as a "problem".

What I mean is, if you have natural redness, but it doesn't affect your life and it doesn't get progressively worse over time or develop more/different symptoms then you can be fairly sure you don't have rosacea at this point in time, or if you do you are doing something right to keep it from progressing.

If you have mild rosacea but it doesn't affect your life and it doesn't get progressively worse over time or develop more/different symptoms then why worry about it unless it comes to a point where you feel it is getting out of hand or you are uncomfortable with it.

But if you have either of the above and it DOES affect your life and it DOES get worse etc etc then obviously you need to try and do something about it?

And then After that is when the diagnosis comes into play. As others have said though, if you are unsure, you should Always treat your skin as though you do have Rosacea, it certainly won't do any harm.