Rosacea is a common skin condition affecting millions of Americans. Individuals suffering from rosacea experience redness on their skin, most commonly on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. In some instances, you may also develop tiny red bumps and pimples in the affected region.
Rosacea can often be a source of embarrassment, impacting your self-confidence in personal and professional interactions. If you are bothered by your skin or if it continues to worsen, Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald can help you improve the appearance of the condition with selectively chosen rosacea treatments for your particular condition.
Although rosacea is relatively common, the exact cause is unknown. There are several theories about the origin of the condition. However, most research shows that a combination of genetic and environmental factors can lead to the disease. For example, recent research has found a potential link between rosacea and autoimmune disease. However, other findings point towards an immune response triggered by cathelicidin or bacteria found on Demodex mites.
Currently, most reported cases of rosacea are in Los Angeles adults above the age of 25. There is some evidence of rosacea symptoms in teenagers or young adults in their early twenties, but this is not as common.
No. Unlike other skin conditions in Los Angeles, rosacea is not contagious. You cannot give someone rosacea by touching them or sharing cosmetics. While you may be prescribed antibiotics to help treat your rosacea, this is done for their anti-inflammatory effects rather than their bacteria-fighting properties.
While researchers still don’t know what causes rosacea, there is some evidence that rosacea is a hereditary condition. If you have rosacea, your children are at a higher risk for developing the condition. According to research conducted by the National Rosacea Society, more than half of patients report that they have at least one other family member with the condition.
In addition, another study by the NRS found that ethnicity was a factor in the development of rosacea. In the survey, 33% of rosacea patients had at least one parent of Irish descent and 26% had at least one parent of English descent. The study suggests that individuals of Scandinavian, Scottish, Welsh, or Eastern European descent also have an elevated risk of rosacea.
“I am always delighted with my results from all of the services I receive at this office. I find everyone to be knowledgeable, kind, and professional. Dr. Jalian is wonderful at what he does and Dr. Fitzgerald is an artist. I feel so fortunate to be a patient here.”
Common rosacea symptoms in Los Angeles include:
In most cases, rosacea symptoms will flare up for several weeks or months at a time and then subside for a while in between flare-ups. If left untreated, these symptoms will progressively worsen.
Several things can cause rosacea flare-ups, including:
While the signs of rosacea vary from person to person, most patients in Los Angeles notice persistent facial redness, burning, and itching around the nose and cheeks. This can enlarge the sebaceous glands of your nose, thickening the skin over time. However, rosacea can also appear similar to acne breakouts, causing swollenness, bumps, and pimples.
One of the most common environmental causes of flare-ups is heat, especially during heavy exercise. To help reduce flare-ups due to heat, you can pursue low-intensity exercises, keep the ambient temperature of your home cooler, and work out for shorter periods. It may also help to drink lots of cold water.
While there is no cure for rosacea, the symptoms can be managed through treatment. Depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms, we may recommend:
In addition, skin lasers may be used to improve the appearance of facial redness or visible blood vessels. The most common lasers we use to treat rosacea include:
Please contact Rebecca Fitzgerald Dermatology today to schedule your consultation about rosacea treatments in Los Angeles.
