I’m Embarrassed About My Rosacea
Like acne and psoriasis, rosacea causes very visible symptoms that can cause a lot of embarrassment. Fortunately, those symptoms are manageable with a customized plan focused on your unique needs. Here's how we can help.
About 16 million Americans have rosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes skin flushing and acne-like symptoms. Like other chronic skin conditions, rosacea often has an emotional impact in addition to its physical effects.
Many people who have rosacea feel embarrassed by the way their skin looks, and they may wear heavy makeup, which can wind up making symptoms worse, or even avoid social situations. Fortunately, having a personal rosacea management plan in place can help.
At Pure Dermatology in southwest Austin, Texas, Chelsey Straight, MD, FAAD, and Christopher Chu, MD, FAAD, help patients find ways to manage their rosacea symptoms using a custom, patient-centered approach. If you're embarrassed by your rosacea, here’s how a management plan could help you.
Quick facts about rosacea
Rosacea is a lifelong skin condition that can affect anyone. However, it tends to be more common among women, people in their 30s-50s, and those with fair hair and light eyes. It also tends to run in families.
Rosacea often affects the skin on your cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, but it can also affect your scalp, neck, chest, and eyes — a condition called ocular rosacea. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- Cold or hot temperatures
- Stress
- Alcohol consumption
- Sun exposure
- Hormonal changes
- Spicy foods
Skin and hair products, like shampoos, body washes, soaps, lotions, and perfumes, can also trigger symptoms.
Managing your rosacea
Rosacea symptoms are very visible, and they can have a direct influence on your self-confidence and self-esteem. Having a personalized management plan in place is the key to reducing your symptoms, avoiding embarrassment, and helping you feel better about your complexion.
Many patients benefit from topical or oral medications to control their symptoms. Our team also uses laser therapy to reduce the appearance of tiny blood vessels and minimize skin redness. As with other chronic medical conditions, regular checkups help keep your plan on track as your needs change.
In addition to medical therapy, we usually recommend lifestyle changes, like:
- Using sun protection
- Avoiding or limiting spicy foods
- Staying hydrated
- Using gentle skin care products
- Practicing stress management
Keeping a skin journal helps you keep track of your triggers, so you can take steps to limit flare-ups.
Learn how to manage your rosacea
While there’s no cure for rosacea yet, having a management plan in place can dramatically improve your symptoms and your confidence, too. To learn how we can design a plan for your needs, call 512-766-2610 or book an appointment online with the team at Pure Dermatology today.
