A staggering 415 million people across the globe grapple with rosacea, a striking 5.46% of the adult population worldwide.
Rosacea is not just a skin issue; it’s a fierce battle triggered by the dilation of blood cells beneath the skin’s surface, stemming from an underlying inflammatory response.
This dilation sparks the classic flushing associated with rosacea, ultimately leading to leaking capillaries (thread veins). Researchers have boldly linked the inflammatory elements responsible for rosacea triggers to a host of other inflammatory health conditions.
What remains shrouded in mystery is whether a genetic predisposition to rosacea is the primary connection to other inflammatory health conditions, or if these conditions trigger rosacea as a secondary affliction.
If you find yourself struggling with one of these six health conditions while battling persistent flushing, bumpy red cheeks, thread veins, and cycles of small itchy pustules on your cheeks and nose, brace yourself – you may also be contending with rosacea.
Dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh
Diabetes
Research published in the European Journal of Dermatology has unveiled a potential connection between rosacea and insulin resistance – a metabolic disorder that could herald diabetes. In this study, insulin resistance was gauged using a standard method comparing insulin and glucose levels in the blood. The researchers assessed these physical parameters and others in 47 rosacea patients and 50 individuals without rosacea. The findings revealed that rosacea patients were significantly more prone to insulin resistance. The researchers posited that the potential link between rosacea and insulin resistance might be explained by the increased inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress that occur during the pathogenesis of both conditions.
Cystitis
A groundbreaking study involving 65 individuals with rosacea at Johns Hopkins University, published in the American Academy of Dermatology, unveiled a connection between rosacea and urogenital diseases such as urinary tract infection (cystitis). The researchers concluded that the interplay between rosacea and cystitis likely involves mechanisms that underpin chronic inflammatory conditions alongside barrier skin tissue issues.
Acid Indigestion
The most prevalent cause of acid indigestion? Low stomach acid production (hypochlorhydria). Several studies have unveiled a significant correlation between rosacea and hypochlorhydria. Dr Melegh states, “Numerous studies have discovered links between rosacea and acid indigestion, possibly tied to underlying inflammation of the stomach lining.” At the top of the stomach lies a muscular bag with a ring muscle known as the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). It opens to allow food in via the oesophagus and closes when the stomach is brimming with acidity. This acidity is believed to trigger the muscle’s closure. If the LES is even slightly ajar, food can back up into the oesophagus, resulting in the burning sensation known as acid reflux. Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is vital for food digestion, bacterial control, and the absorption of essential vitamins. Additionally, it spurs the release of a unique carrier protein necessary for transporting vitamin B12, critical for brain function and red blood cell production. Studies indicate that hypochlorhydria leads to diminished absorption of vitamin B12, potentially linking rosacea with symptoms of anxiety-linked depression.
Celiac disease
Rosacea has a formidable association with celiac disease (wheat intolerance). Researchers in Denmark executed a population-based, case-control study involving 6,759 patients with rosacea. Women with rosacea in the study exhibited a significant relationship with celiac disease. Dr Melegh points out, “This may stem from underlying inflammation of the stomach lining that heightens sensitivity to wheat-based products.”
Hayfever
Rosacea can extend beyond the skin, infiltrating the eyes and presenting as red, burning, and watery eyes. Symptoms of hay fever can easily be mistaken for ocular rosacea. Dr Melegh asserts, “Ocular rosacea without other rosacea symptoms is frequently misdiagnosed as allergies or hay fever. However, approximately 20% of individuals with rosacea first exhibit ocular signs.” Complicating matters further, allergies such as hay fever can ignite rosacea flares. Dr Melegh adds, “Those afflicted with hay fever or allergies are more likely to also endure rosacea. Both conditions are rooted in inflammatory responses, yet they demand distinct treatments, making proper diagnosis crucial.”
Arthritis
Most people don’t associate skin conditions with arthritis, but in fact, the skin is also an organ affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
“Autoimmune diseases such as RA can cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin which can be a trigger for rosacea flares,” says Dr Melegh.
Rosacea occurs more than three times more often in women than men, which is a similar ratio seen in people with RA.
A Danish study at the University of Copenhagen found a link between rosacea and autoimmune diseases including RA. The study found that women with rosacea were more than twice as likely to have a concurrent autoimmune disorder like RA than their rosacea-free counterparts.
Dr Melegh’s 5 tips to better manage rosacea
“There’s no definitive cure for rosacea as it’s a chronic skin condition rather than an acute one. However, it can be managed effectively, typically through a combination of limited medication, targeted skincare products, and a regular skincare routine with specific precautions,” asserts Dr Melegh.
Use dedicated skincare
Employ skincare meticulously formulated for rosacea-prone skin and utilise it consistently between flares, not just during flare-ups. This should encompass multiple products since rosacea is a multifaceted condition that manifests in cycles, demanding a robust skincare regime rather than sporadic solutions. Explore Kalme Skincare (www.kalme.co.uk), which boasts a range of products infused with targeted ingredients designed to combat the cyclical symptoms of rosacea.
Use a daily SPF
UV rays are one of the most common triggers for rosacea flares as UV damage causes localised inflammation of the skin. Therefore, if you suffer from rosacea, always use a daily SPF in all weathers. Physical mineral SPF’s such as zinc oxide are preferable to chemical filter SPF’s for rosacea-prone skin as they are less reactive and remain more stable when exposed to UV light.
Avoid frequently changing products
Skin prone to rosacea is often hypersensitive and requires time to acclimatise to new skincare ingredients. If a skincare regime proves effective, stick with it and resist the urge to switch or mix it with other products. Always use a daily SPF – UV rays are notorious triggers for rosacea flares, as UV damage incites localised inflammation of the skin. Therefore, if you suffer from rosacea, make it a non-negotiable to apply a daily SPF, come rain or shine. Physical mineral SPFs, like zinc oxide, are favoured over chemical filter SPFs for rosacea-prone skin, as they are less reactive and maintain stability when exposed to UV light.
Don’t wash skin with water
Temperature fluctuations can trigger rosacea flares, so washing your face with water, be it warm or cold, can provoke a sudden temperature shift. Instead, opt for water-free cleansers enriched with moisturising ingredients to cleanse your skin and remove cosmetics.
Select perfume-free skincare
Perfumes in skincare can often incite minor reactions in sensitive skin, making them best avoided. Any skincare recommended for rosacea-prone skin, a condition characterised by reactivity, should be devoid of perfumes.
- Dr Eva Melegh
