Inflammatory skin diseases What helps against rosacea?

Expert gives tips against widespread disease rosacea

Rosacea is a non-infectious inflammatory skin disease that manifests itself among other things in a blotchy reddened facial skin. Little is known about the causes of the disease. Nevertheless, there are some things that sufferers can do.

It starts with a few red spots on the face

In many cases it starts with a few red spots on the face, but eventually the blush around the nose. The cause of this is often a rosacea ("copper rose") - "a frequent, often chronic inflammation of the facial skin," as the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IGWiG) writes on its portal "gesundheitsinformation.de". "As with any skin disorder, it can be difficult to deal with, and it can affect well-being and self-esteem. However, there are many things that you can do yourself to relieve the inflammation, "say the experts.

Rosacea is a common, often chronic inflammation of the facial skin. Although little is known about the causes, there are many things that can be done to combat the skin disease. (Image: Milan Lipowski / fotolia.com)

Non-infectious inflammation of the facial skin

Rosacea is a non-contagious inflammation of the facial skin that can persist for years.

The skin disease is chronic. Most of the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead are affected.

"It usually begins with fugitive redness," explains Sylke Schneider-Burrus, chief physician of the Center for Vein and Dermatosurgery in Havelklinik Berlin, in a message from the news agency dpa.

"At some point, the skin remains red, plus papules and pustules," explains the expert. For laymen, this sometimes looks like acne. "The classic acne period is over when people get it," said the doctor.

Rosacea usually begins between the ages of 30 and 40.

Women are affected more often than men

"Rosacea is a widespread disease," says Schneider-Burrus.

"In Germany, about 2 to 5 out of 100 adults are affected - fair-skinned types more often than more pigmented and women more often than men," writes the IQWiG.

According to the experts, four different stages of rosacea are distinguished, however, the disease does not automatically continue to progress; many sufferers therefore have consistent symptoms over a long period of time.

For many people, skin swelling and nodule formation, which can swell the nose, especially in males, to a so-called rhinophym ("nodular nose" or popularly known as the "drunkenness") are unpleasant for many people.

In addition, the rosacea is a special burden, even if eyelids or eyes are affected. Inflammation of the conjunctiva and the lid margin, dry eyes and corneal inflammation can be painful.

Adaptation of the lifestyle

Since there are theoretically "many reasons for red spots on the face," as Schneider-Burrus explains in the dpa message, one should go to a dermatologist who can determine if it is the chronic disease.

Often then a cream with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories is prescribed, which must be used permanently.

Often sufferers will find out over time that there are certain triggers for a boost. Such triggers can vary from person to person. In general, anything that causes redness of the face can also increase rosacea, "explains the IQWiG.

Therefore, it is very important to adapt your own lifestyle. "The most important thing is to protect against sunlight," says Schneider-Burrus, according to dpa.

Patients should use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor all year round and do not expose their face to direct sunlight. It is also important to find out what makes rosacea worse.

"For many, it's alcohol because it puts the vessels wide so that the face gets even more blood." In many cases, patients also respond to spicy food and very hot or very cold drinks.

"Whatever the blush on the face reinforces, you should definitely omit," says Schneider-Burrus. This is as important as a consistent drug treatment.

Causes not yet known

The causes of rosacea are not yet known. In some rosacea species, a genetic predisposition is suspected.

People with lighter hair and fair skin are affected more often according to IQWiG.

It is believed that the skin disease can have various causes: pathological changes in the blood vessels in the skin, sunlight damage of the connective tissue and a pathological inflammatory reaction.

In addition, rosacea may also be a side effect of some medicines. (Ad)