Rosacea

Chronic inflammatory skin disease that may be triggered by a number of factors e.g. alcohol, stress

Aetiology

  • More common in females
  • Age range: 30-40s

Pathophysiology

  • Not entirely understood; involves chronic inflammation of the skin and is especially associated with triggers that increase body temperature

Clinical presentation

  • Recurrent facial flushing
    • Visible blood vessels
    • May occur long before onset of rash
    • Can be triggered by sunlight, alcohol, hot drinks, stress, spicy food
  • Rash - erythema with papules and pustules seen on the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead with sparing of naso-labial folds

Investigations

  • Clinical diagnosis

Management

  • Avoid triggers
  • 1st line: topical metronidazole
  • 2nd line: topical therapies + oral antibiotics (doxycycline)
  • 3rd line: isotretinoin
  • Telangiectasia + rhinophyma - laser therapy

Complications

  • Thickening of skin - rhinophyma
  • Telangectasia