Little-Known Facial Disorder Puts 13 Million Americans In The Red

The current epidemic of sky-high credit card debt is not why an estimated 13 million Americans are now wearing a stressed, red flush on their faces. The symptoms come from rosacea, a red-faced, acne-like skin disorder that, like overspending, can spiral out of control and leave its victims emotionally bankrupt.

In a survey by the National Rosacea Society of more than 1,900 rosacea sufferers, nearly 70 percent reported that rosacea’s effect on their facial appearance had lowered their self-esteem, and over half said it had caused them embarrassment and frustration. Nearly 60 percent said they had experienced rude comments, stares, and jokes, and 41 percent had even avoided or canceled social engagements.

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is an embarrassing but treatable condition that typically begins after age 30 with a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead that comes and goes. Early on, sufferers often dismiss this as a temporary complexion problem when, in reality, rosacea is chronic and will usually intensify without medical therapy – potentially leading to disfigurement.

“Initially, people may attribute their rosacea symptoms to other sources, such as repetitive sun exposure on the golf course or hormonal acne flare-ups,” said Dr Larry Millikan, chairman of dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine. “Some also like to think that only teenagers have complexion problems, so they delay a visit to the dermatologist. Meanwhile, they’re walking around with a medical problem that tends to only get worse without proper treatment.”

In fact, a recent Gallup survey found that 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of rosacea, even though it has become increasingly widespread as the 76 million baby boomers enter their 30s, 40s, and 50s. As the disorder progresses, rosacea’s redness grows ruddier and more persistent, and small dilated blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in some individuals the face may become swollen and easily irritated. Although at some point rosacea may seem to resemble teenage acne, it rarely goes away by itself, and acne medications can often make it worse.

In many sufferers, the eyes also may be affected, appearing watery or bloodshot, and in advanced cases, the nose may turn bumpy and enlarged from excess tissue. This, rather than alcohol, is the condition that gave comedian W.C. Fields his famous red bulbous nose.

While alcohol may aggravate the symptoms of rosacea, the disorder can be just as severe in a teetotaler. A serving of hot nachos by the pool can also feed the symptoms. Some of the most common aggravating factors for rosacea include sun exposure, emotional stress, spicy foods, alcohol, extreme weather, excessive exercise, hot baths, heated beverages, and irritating skin care products.

While rosacea is more common in women, it tends to be more severe in men. Evidence also exists that a tendency to develop rosacea may be inherited, and that it is more common among people with fair skin and of certain ancestries. The condition has been found especially widespread in Americans of Irish, English, Scandinavian, Scottish, Welsh, Polish, Lithuanian, and Balkan descent.

“Fortunately today, we can usually stop the progression of rosacea and reverse its symptoms with proper treatment and appropriate lifestyle modifications,” Dr Millikan said. “In most cases, dermatologists initially prescribe fast-acting oral or topical antibiotics to bring the symptoms under immediate control, and then continue long-term therapy with the topical antibiotic alone to maintain remission. At the same time, it can be important for patients to identify and avoid any factors that might aggravate their individual conditions.”

For information and educational materials on rosacea, write the National Rosacea Society, 800 S. Northwest Highway, Suite 200, Barrington, Illinois 60010, or call its toll-free hotline at 888/NO-BLUSH. Information and materials are also available on the society’s Web site at www.rosacea.org, or via e-mail at rosacea@aol.com.