You’ve noticed that your facial skin is experiencing unwanted changes. You’ve seen more redness across your cheeks and some broken blood vessels. They’re unsightly, and they haven’t cleared up. It’s time for a visit to the doctor.
Dr. Laura Riehm, a board-certified physician trained in medical aesthetics at Skin Deep Laser MD, may diagnose rosacea. She sees many patients with rosacea and other skin conditions that need specialized medical treatment. Dr. Riehm can provide help to restore your skin to health and help you control rosacea.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition. It’s chronic, so it can flare up for weeks or months and then calm down again. It most often affects Caucasian women with fair skin, but it can occur in anyone. Rosacea can present differently among individuals because there are several types of symptoms, but all indicate rosacea.
What are the common symptoms of rosacea?
Rosacea has a variety of symptoms. The following are common signs of this skin disorder.
Facial redness or sensitivity
Does your facial skin look overly red, but you haven’t been sunburned? That’s a classic sign of rosacea. If you flush easily and your skin becomes red frequently when you blush, that’s another sign you may have a mild case of rosacea.
Perhaps you played tennis in the sun, and by the time you finished, your face felt like it was burning. Your partner says your face is as red as a beet. The heat can act as a trigger when you have rosacea and can bring on the burning sensation and rosacea’s redness.
Visible blood vessels or spider veins
You’re seeing broken blood vessels running across your cheeks. They’ve become swollen just underneath your skin so that they show through the outer layer of your epidermis. When your face flushes often, these blood vessels dilate and become visible on your cheeks or nose. This is a common symptom of rosacea.
Swollen, red bumps/thickened skin
Perhaps your rosacea presents as acne. You may develop pimples on your face that can contain pus. The inflammation may cause your skin to feel tender and warm to the touch, and your skin is red. Dr. Riehm can help treat this and other unsightly symptoms right away. No one wants acne-like breakouts on their face.
Irritated eyes
Are your eyes dry and sensitive? Are your eyes bloodshot and your eyelids red and swollen? Maybe your eyelids have broken blood vessels. This form of condition is called ocular rosacea. You don’t want to look like you’ve been crying all the time. Rosacea treatment can help.
Thick skin or enlarged nose
If left untreated, your skin texture may thicken, especially on the nose. Your nose begins to look bulbous. This symptom is more common in men, but it can occur in anyone with rosacea.
Rosacea treatment, especially when started early, is very effective in reducing symptoms and controlling the condition. Dr. Riehm can prescribe a special skin cream or gel that calms the inflammation. An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or “Photo-Facial” can also help more severe cases by collapsing the tiny blood vessels causing redness.
As with other medical conditions, early treatment helps prevent complications of this disorder. Call or book an appointment online with Skin Deep Laser MD if you suspect you have rosacea. Now is the time to get expert treatment to restore your facial skin to health.
