Rosacea-What is it?

Rosacea is a mysterious disease. Many years ago Rosacea was called Acne Rosacea, which was a misnomer. The disease has nothing to do with acne. Yes, Rosacea patients can get papules and pustules that look similar to acne, but do not contain bacteria and the mechanism is different. All of Rosacea starts with flushing, and that seems to be the key. If you never flush, you probably do not have rosacea.

Rosacea has mostly been looked at as a skin disease, but the skin is only collateral damage to the Rosacea monster. Rosacea is a blood vessel disease. Celtic cultures and European northern climates are the classical heritage of Rosacea. Blood vessels in the face are genetically defective and can not take a lot of flushing. The vessels become damaged, start leaking, and this sets off an inflammatory response. The face becomes red, inflamed, very sensitive to any stimulation. Sunshine, stress, creams, soaps, make-up and most anything can set it off to become even worse. This can cause even more flushing!

Once the blood vessels in you face become leaky and defective you body tries to destroy them and build new ones. This is called angiogenesis. The old blood vessels just hang around in your face, doing nothing. Before long the new blood vessels begin to leak and the whole process starts again. The face becomes permanently red and extremely inflamed and sensitive. Flushing at this point becomes as easy as saying "good morning". So, is Rosacea genetic? Most likely. Can you physical and social environment set it off. You bet!!

Dr Steve Johnson