Tips for treating rosacea: got allover redness and acnelike bumps? You may have this common skin disorder - Beauty Rx

Shape, Jan, 2003 by Valerie Latona

Almost 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea -- a skin condition that causes facial redness, visible blood vessels and acnelike bumps. If you have rosacea or experience these symptoms, follow these tips from expert Julie Harper, M.D., a dermatologist in Birmingham, Ala.

THE BASIC FACTS

The epidermis is thinner in those with rosacea -- making it sensitive. The blood vessels immediately under the surface are dilated and visible, and some may be broken -- why the skin appears flushed. There's typically inflammation in and around hair follicles, which forms pimplelike bumps.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

You've noticed a bit of ruddiness to your skin. Here are other symptoms that can help you recognize rosacea.

* Your redness has a pattern. Dilated blood vessels/red bumps tend to run down the center of the face.

* You blush/flush easily in hot weather, after exercising and under stress. This indicates a vascular instability, Harper says, which seems to be the basis for rosacea.

* You have fair skin/light eyes. Individuals with these features are more prone to the condition, but it can occur in those with olive or dark skin. It also tends to be genetic.

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

A recent nationwide survey found that almost 80 percent of those with rosacea didn't know how to recognize or treat their condition. Beauty Rx:

1. Keep a journal of what factors trigger the redness -- and limit them. Triggers include spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol and fragranced skin-care products. (For other triggers, click on rosacea. org.)

2. Wear a sensitive-skin sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 daily. Sun exposure can worsen your condition. Try B. Kamins Chemist Sunbar SPF 30 Sunscreen ($30; bkamins.com).

3. Limit heat-provoking situations such as excessive exercise or hot tubs. They can aggravate rosacea.

4. Use only skin-care products targeted to sensitive skin. These are hypoallergenic and fragrance- and alcohol-free. Try products by Dove, Cetaphil, Neutrogena and DDF; one favorite: DDF Rosacea Relief serum ($47; 800-7-BEAUTY).

5. See a dermatologist. Most will prescribe an antibiotic and/or use a pulse-dye laser to help reduce redness.

RELATED ARTICLE: WHAT WORKS

When she's not teaching dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Julie Harper, M.D., is treating patients at the University's Acne/Rosacea Clinic, which she helped found in October 2001. "The clinic not only helps treat patients with the condition, it also offers access to the department of dermatology's large clinical-trials unit," says Harper, who adds that readers can call (205) 975-7466 to find out how to participate in the latest rosacea-treatment trials. "My mother has rosacea, and I had acne growing up," explains Harper, when talking about her desire to help treat those with skin conditions. "Most people think common problems like this will just go away with time; they won't which is why it's so important to consult an expert. Something can be done. You don't need to live with it or try to cope with it on your own."