{"id":3788,"date":"2019-02-07T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T04:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3788"},"modified":"2021-03-25T20:42:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T20:42:11","slug":"15-causes-of-rosacea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-causes-of-rosacea\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Rosacea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rosacea is a condition that is often associated with acne and which can sometimes actually be mistaken for acne. This causes a redness across the face, often in specific areas around the face, which many people mistake for the redness caused by spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, though, rosacea is something else entirely and can affect people at any age. What\u2019s interesting, is that it is thought that thousands of people actually suffer from rosacea without realizing it \u2013 due to its difficulty in diagnosing and its apparent similarity with acne. If you think you simply have acne then and this is causing your face to appear red\u2026 look a little closer! It may just be that something more complex is causing the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, you\u2019ll probably be wondering what might have caused <\/em>the problem. In this post, we\u2019re going to take a closer look and attempt to answer that question. Here are eight possible causes of rosacea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Acne<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While rosacea may be an entirely separate condition from acne<\/a>, the two often do go hand-in-hand. And in fact, it is <\/em>possible that rosacea can cause acne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acne will often cause swelling and redness on the skin around the areas where spots form. If this should happen, then it can eventually get to the point where the entire area of skin beneath the pimples becomes red, tough, and angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also useful to keep in mind that in some cases, acne and rosacea are simply caused by the same underlying factors. It could be that you have acne and <\/em>rosacea because of hormonal imbalances for instance, or that both are exacerbated by stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also possible that both can be caused by bacteria or even skin mites. With that in mind then, it may be advisable to try using regular acne products, especially those that focus on cleansing the skin and killing off potential bacteria and infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Disorder of the Blood Vessels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Something that makes rosacea somewhat frustrating, is the fact that experts aren\u2019t quite sure what causes it. In fact, there are several different leading theories which include the likes of \u2018skin mites\u2019, allergies, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of these current theories is that the rosacea is caused by a disorder of the blood vessels<\/a>. Blood vessels are of course the veins and arteries that carry blood around the body. As well as veins and arteries though, they also include the tiny little blood vessels called capillaries. These can be seen just beneath the surface of the skin, and especially where the skin is very pale and\/or thin. This is partly why those who are older, or who have very pale skin are somewhat more likely to experience the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is the cause in some cases, all cases, or none at all is uncertain. However, what we can <\/em>be certain of, is that rosacea often appears alongside the appearance of tiny blood vessels around the face. If you have very small, blue, spider-web looking veins appearing on your skin, then this would suggest that there is at least some <\/em>role for blood vessels to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in this case, you might be well-served to address issues such as blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Heat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Something that you might notice, is that your rosacea becomes worse at certain times. While you might have a constant \u2018underlying\u2019 rosacea, it\u2019s common for it to get worse during specific set periods, known as either breakouts or flushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of reasons you can get a \u2018flush\u2019, but one of the most common ones is heat. You might notice that in hot weather, specific patches around your face appear red \u2013 this is the rosacea<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may lend some credence to the role of those tiny blood vessels. Our body\u2019s thermal regulation works to heat us up and cool us down accordingly, by pushing the blood vessels to the surface of the skin nearer the fresh air and then burying them deep to warm us back up \u2013 depending on the ambient temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are very stressed, then this too could lead to a flush. Chronic stress <\/a>might even be the root cause of the condition in the first place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To some, this will come as a surprise. After all, how can a psychological factor such as stress possibly have a direct impact on the appearance of your skin, which is very physical and <\/em>external?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is that stress actually triggers a wide variety of changes throughout the body, in particular affecting our production of hormones, which in turn can trigger a range of strange changes in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it has been shown that a placebo treatment (a treatment that has no physical effect, but which the patient believes <\/em>will work) has been highly effective in treating related conditions such as psoriasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This suggests that a useful management technique might be to learn meditation or other ways to cope better with stress!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Malnutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are malnourished, then this can, of course, have a big impact on your health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And actually, there are specific ways in which malnutrition <\/a>can directly impact a condition such as rosacea. For instance, another very popular theory is that rosacea is caused by issues with the connective tissue just beneath the skin. This connective tissue is formed from various different nutrients that we get from our diet and compounds that the body manufactures using the food we eat. The most obvious example? Collagen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the common symptoms of rosacea is that the skin becomes hard and tough. This could well be the result of some kind of impairment to normal collagen production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s also very likely that a deficiency in other vitamins and minerals might have a negative effect on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Alcohol<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are prone to flushing, then you should stay away from alcohol<\/a>. While it\u2019s unlikely that alcohol could cause the rosacea itself, it is <\/em>very possible that it could act as a trigger and cause flushing\/outbreaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because alcohol consumption changes your blood pressure and your heart rate. But it\u2019s also because alcohol is a toxin. When we consume alcohol, our body reacts as though we\u2019d consumed poison and it works overtime to try and drive it out. This is why our heart rate increases, despite alcohol being a depressant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, it should come as no surprise that you also start to appear red as your body reacts. Interestingly, this may also be racial in part \u2013 with some cultures being less prone to alcohol consumption and therefore less adapted to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we get older, rosacea becomes a more common complaint. There are many obvious reasons for this and in many ways, old age is the \u2018perfect storm\u2019 as far as this condition is concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, when we are older, the skin becomes thinner and paler. This makes it more likely that you\u2019ll see the raised blood vessels<\/a> and the redness. At the same time, as we get older, our likelihood of experiencing other issues such as high blood pressure increases, which in turn means the blood will be closer to the surface of the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal changes, dryness in the skin, and much more could all additionally cause a further likelihood of rosacea or associated issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rosacea may, in fact, be an allergic reaction. We\u2019ve already seen how alcohol can cause redness in the face as the body tries to drive it out. The same thing occurs when we consume any allergen, and of course, redness and rashes are nothing new as far as allergies <\/a>are concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that you\u2019re going to go into anaphylaxis. This could be a very low-level allergy or intolerance, making it harder to spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for that reason, you should consider keeping a food diary. This means keeping track of the things you eat and also how visible your rosacea is. Try removing foods from your diet and see if this has any impact. If not, try removing something else. Common culprits include dairy, gluten, sugary foods, and acidic foods. Just make sure to give it long enough to draw your conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rosacea, as we\u2019ve seen, can sometimes be \u2018triggered\u2019, which causes a flare-up that makes it appear worse for a short period of time. There are many things we have already looked at that can cause these flare-ups, but many of these have so far been things that were either negative to begin with, or neither positive or negative. In other words, it can come as something of a surprise to learn that something you\u2019re often actively encouraged <\/em>to do, may actually be causing breakouts and making matters worse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is the case with exercise though. While exercise is very good for you, it can also lead to worse rosacea as it can cause blood to rush to the face and the brain. This is made worse by \u2018straining\u2019 with your facial muscles <\/a>during intense exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what do you do? Let yourself get out of shape in order to avoid potentially getting worse rosacea? Of course not! What you should consider instead, is finding ways to exercise that will not exacerbate the condition as much. This means trying not <\/em>to strain the face and head, which actually you shouldn\u2019t really be doing anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To try and avoid this, aim to breathe in a more controlled manner while exerting yourself and to isolate the correct parts of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Vasodilation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vasodilation <\/a>essentially means that the blood vessels are getting wider, which can then cause blood to rush to that area in greater quantities, thereby making the skin appear redder due to the increased amount of blood just below the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many different things can cause vasodilation, which ranges from psychological factors, all the way to dietary ones. Many supplements \u2013 in particular workout supplements \u2013 also trigger vasodilation. The reason for this is that vasodilation actually increases athletic performance by allowing more blood flow to the brain and muscles. This is a positive thing on the whole then, but again it has the unwanted side effect of increasing redness in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Sun Burn<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sunburn <\/a>is another thing that can cause rosacea to look worse. This is true partly because the sun will damage the surface of the skin and even just below <\/em>the skin. What many people don\u2019t realize is that the sun\u2019s rays are able to penetrate through our skin and actually affect the layers underneath \u2013 thereby causing a whole range of different, unwanted effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunlight is actually caused by disruptions to the electromagnetic field, within a certain range. The ultraviolet light is the kind that can do the damage, and this essentially works like a microwave: cooking you from the inside out! It\u2019s no wonder that this can irritate those delicate blood vessels that live just beneath the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more though, is that Rosacea might also be worsened by the vitamin D<\/a> itself. 80% of those suffering from the condition report that it gets worsened by sunlight (not just sunburn). This is thought to have something to do with the ability of the sun to trigger cathelicidin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cathelicidin is an antimicrobial peptide that is related to our innate immunity, meaning that it can help to combat bacterial infections. In other words, cathelicidin helps to combat bacteria in a way that may exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea. Unfortunately then, actions taken to raise immunity might also <\/em>make the condition worse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, it is also possible that other types of weather could exacerbate rosacea. In particular, it is possible that cold wind can make the problem worse \u2013 as it batters the skin and causes significant irritation. What\u2019s more, is that this coldness can cause blood to rush to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this isn\u2019t something you should avoid. But if you\u2019re trying to keep yourself from a breakout and you are attending a formal occasion, you should try to avoid weather exposure in the short term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Makeup<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people report that some brands of makeup exacerbate their rosacea. Makeups contain a host of different chemicals <\/a>and substances that are designed to control the color, along with the viscosity, texture, etc. While all these are tested to ensure they are safe for use in humans, that isn\u2019t to say that you might not have an unusual reaction to some of the ingredients. Moreover, some ingredients in the makeup could cause or worsen rosacea directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience a lot of outbreaks, it may be worth trying to gradually cease individual makeup products to see if this improves the condition. Alternatively, you might cease the use of all makeup and then gradually re-introduce individual items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Gut Flora<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gut flora<\/a> is the bacteria that live in the stomach. While many of us think of bacteria as being \u2018bad\u2019, the reality is that it can be both harmful and <\/em>beneficial, depending on the type of bacteria and depending on the patient. Having the right balance of beneficial bacteria is important to improve the immune system, and to produce healthy hormones and neurotransmitters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An outgrowth of intestinal flora or an \u2018abnormal intestinal microbiome\u2019 can, therefore, have a role in causing rosacea. In fact, a trial of a drug called rifaximin (an antibiotic) showed a 96% response rate. This suggests at least some involvement of bacteria, as does the role of the aforementioned cathelicidin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Inflammation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation <\/a>is also likely to play a significant role in the condition. In fact, it might be the combination of the bacterial infection, and the inflammation that this leads to, which ultimately leads to the outbreaks in many cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation is actually a response by the body to any kind of foreign invasion from bacteria, viruses, or toxins. Here, the body will be attempting to drive it out, by making the environment inhospitable. This can, in turn, cause redness and swelling which is unpleasant for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also means that when you have another type of infection, you may be more likely to also experience inflammation. The reason for this is that the inflammation is caused in part by pro-inflammatory cytokines that will trigger inflammation in other parts of the body too. This can also affect the brain and it is thought that this might exacerbate conditions like depression. Thus, if you are already unwell, then there is a higher chance of a flare-up.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>