Rosacea Information

Some 'acne' around the middle years of life is not acne at all but an acne-like condition called rosacea. Rosacea is common in both sexes in the late forties and fifties and also involves inflammation of sebaceous glands, but there are none of the blackheads or whiteheads which are so characteristic of true acne. It may start with episodes of flushing of the face in the `butterfly area' of the nose and cheeks which eventually develops into a permanent redness. On this background inflamed pimple-like spots develop, and at the same time the persisting flush aggravates any tendency to `broken' capillaries on the cheeks. The flush is exaggerated by alcohol, heat, caffeine and anxiety. Germaine Greer in The Change (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1991) suggests that the

menopause is a good time to abandon old addictions, and there is certainly some evidence that women with rosacea benefit from reduced alcohol and caffeine intake. Since sunlight also exacerbates rosacea, sun protection is important. The condition is more common in fair skin of Celtic type, which is also more prone to sun damage.


Whilst the cause of rosacea is not known, a small organism which normally resides in the sebaceous gland-rich T-zone of the face, known as Demodex folliculorum, has been implicated. Metronidazole, which eradicates this organism and can be applied in the form of a gel, benefits most cases. More severe cases respond to tetracycline antibiotics but these may need to be given for a prolonged course of several months or more.

By: SkinXpert

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