Rosacea (cont.)
How is a rhinophyma (the W.C. Fields nose) treated?
Rhinophyma of the nose is frequently treated by surgery. The excess tissue may be removed with a scalpel, laser, or electro surgery. Dermabrasion can help improve the look of the scar tissue. Follow-up treatments with laser or intense pulsed light may help lessen the redness. Medical maintenance therapy with oral and or topical antibiotics may be useful to decrease the chance of recurrence.
What effect may rosacea have on my life?
Rosacea may affect your life minimally, moderately, or severely depending on how active the condition is and your overall tolerance of the skin symptoms.
Some patients have absolutely no symptoms and are not bothered at all by their rosacea. They may enjoy perfectly healthy normal lives without any effect from this benign skin condition. Some patients really like the pink glow to their cheeks and find it gives them a pleasant color without having to use blush. They may not even know they have rosacea. They usually do not want to use any treatment.
People with moderate rosacea may have periodic flares that require treatment with oral antibiotics, lasers, and other therapies. They may continuously take an antibiotic daily for years and years to keep their symptoms under control. Many of these people may complain of embarrassment from the flushing and blushing of rosacea. They may have ups and downs and times that their disease is quiet and other times when it feels like it is on fire. With the help of their physician, these patients can learn the pattern of their rosacea and develop a treatment plan to keep it from interfering in their daily lives.
Other patients have very bothersome rosacea that causes them issues on a daily basis. There are a subset of severe rosacea sufferers who have extreme psychological, social, and emotional symptoms. Some have developed social phobias causing them to cancel or leave situations when their rosacea is flaring or active. Some patients complain of looking like they have been drinking alcohol when in fact they don't drink at all. Although rosacea is not a grave medical situation, severe cases may wreak havoc in some patient's lives. It is important for these patients to discuss their physical and emotional concerns with their physicians and to get professional help in treating their rosacea.
Overall, promptly diagnosed and properly treated, rosacea should not prevent people with the condition from enjoying long and productive lives.
- Rosacea is a common chronic skin disorder.
- Rosacea begins innocently as a blush of the face.
- The rosacea region is the central third of the face including the
nose.
- Rosacea causes tiny pimples and red lines appear on the skin.
- Rosacea may be mistaken for rosy cheeks, sunburn, or quite
often, acne.
- Rosacea can be a very bothersome and embarrassing
condition.
- Rosacea untreated can cause a bulbous red nose (like W.C.
Fields).
- Prompt recognition and proper treatment permit people
with rosacea to enjoy life.
Last Editorial Review: 5/9/2008
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