It is a chronic skin disease of unknown cause, characterized by tightness, dryness, tenderness, burning sensation in the face and flushing (facial flushing) due to the sensitivity of the veins of the face, which is generally seen in young and middle-aged adult women and light-skinned individuals with skin phototype 2-3. Rosacea is also known as “adult acne”. It typically affects the midline of the face, such as the forehead, nose, and chin. Rosacea is characterized by redness, crusting, pimples, and thin vascular dilation called telangiectasia. Some patients also have complaints such as burning, pricking and itching accompanying stinging. Although acne lesions are observed as inflamed, red and swollen, unlike acne vulgaris observed in adolescence, comedones (blackheads) are not observed. In the early stages of the disease, redness (erythema), sudden flushing reaction is observed due to reasons such as hot steam, sun exposure, excessive cold, wind, alcohol, some spicy, bitter, sour foods and stress, while this rash becomes permanent in the following periods and vascular spots and telangiectasias occur. Some patients may also experience foreign body sensation, burning, stinging, redness, dryness and sun sensitivity symptoms.
In this disease, the treatment of which is aimed at reducing symptoms and regressing skin lesions, there is never a complete cure, the disease progresses with intermittent relapses and exacerbations. Avoiding the factors that trigger the disease is the most important step in treatment. Among these factors, excessively hot and cold drinks, foods, intense sun exposure, spicy foods and alcohol should be avoided. Patients experience exacerbation of rosacea symptoms during periods of stress and menstruation.
In the first step of the treatment in rosacea, avoiding the factors that trigger the disease and the use of appropriate dermocosmetic (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen) are included. KTP, Pulsed Dye Laser or Nd Yag Laser are used in the treatment of telangiectasias.