Rosacea Signs and Supportive Lifestyle Tips

April is National Rosacea Awareness Month and we find it appropriate to take the opportunity to explore this very common skin condition with our readers.

The Facts:

According to the National Rosacea Society, rosacea.org, over 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea, many without even knowing they have it.  It is most common in people age 30-50 and individuals with fair skin.  Those who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risk.

Even though this disorder is more frequently diagnosed in women it can be more severe in men. The most common signs of rosacea include: flushing, persistent redness, bumps, pimples, and visible capillaries. Other less prevalent signs range anywhere from burning or stinging, dry skin, plaques, skin thickening, swelling, and eye irritation.

There are 4 types of rosacea (AAD): 

  erythematotelangiectatic rosacea which is flushing, persistent redness, and visible capillaries

papulopustular rosacea which has persistent facial redness with bumps or acne-like breakouts

phymatous rosacea described as skin thickening and enlargement bumpy texture

ocular rosacea affecting with symptoms of watering, bloodshot appearance, irritation, itching, gritty feeling, burning or stinging

Symptoms can have such an effect on self esteem that 41 percent of rosacea sufferers reported it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements (National Rosacea Society).

Common treatments include antibiotics, azelaic acid, isotretinoin, lasers, dermabrasion, and in severe cases electrocautery and surgery. Kasia Organic Salon's skin specialist uses professional  products that deliver  great results in treating rosacea with a more holistic approach instead of just treating the symptom on the surface.

We recommend healing and calming inflammation both internally and in the skin.  When we increase the skin's ability to heal using ingredients that partner with the skin instead of having potentially harmful side effects, we see redness disappear, capillaries become less visible, thickening of a thinned dermis, and all over improvement in skin tone.

Doctors are still trying to determine the etiology of rosacea but according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

The Determining Genetic Factors Include:

1. Rosacea tends to run in families, and found in individuals with an over active immune system.
2. H pylori, since it is commonly found in rosacea sufferers but not all individuals with H pylori have rosacea
3. The demodex mite which lives on everyone's skin but is found in larger quantities in rosacea.
4. A protein called cathelicidin which normally protects the skin from infection but causes the inflammation seen in rosacea.

Though the medical community does not yet know the direct cause of rosacea they are starting to recognize intestinal influences.

Rosacea Inspired Diet

It is best to emphasizes on anti-inflammatory foods that work to reduce vascular flushing. Anti-inflammatory foods are generally plant-based, mineral dense, and minimally processed. Fruits and vegetables, especially dark and leafy greens, help to reduce inflammation. A rosacea inspired diet is an alkaline diet that includes cleansing vegetables, low-sugar fruits, low to NO grains or dairy,

rich bone broth soups, juices, salads and omega oils.

• Mineral water spritzers can be made from still or effervescent mineral waters (like San Pelegrino or San Faustino). These mineral waters can be combined with a few drops to a couple of ounces of any juice. Pomegranate, apple cider, lemon, lime and acai juices are suggested here. Mineral waters offer an easy way to boost dietary mineral intake.

• Emphasize anti-inflammatory foods that work to reduce vascular flushing. Anti-inflammatory foods are generally plant-based, mineral dense, and minimally processed. Fruits and vegetables, especially dark and leafy greens, are particularly anti-inflammatory.

• Limit hot and stimulating foods that dilate blood vessels. Allow food and beverages to cool slightly before consuming them. Limit intake of coffee to one cup per day. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, spicy foods with tomatoes and peppers, and sodas and sweets that can aggravate vascular inflammation.

• Eliminate fried and fast foods along with artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors. In general, opt for whole foods found complete in nature.

• A vegetarian diet is not required. But it is important to strongly emphasize anti-inflammatory, plant-based foods like beans and nuts, complete whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and quality oils like olive oil.

• Limit meat, saturated fats, dairy that contribute to inflammatory pathways. When consuming animal products, select organic or wild or grass-fed varieties to avoid genetic engineering, supplemental hormones, and antibiotics that can leave these foods far from what nature originally intended them to be. Opt for lean, organic meats and organic eggs when consuming them. You may want to strictly exclude dairy from your diet for six months to observe the impact it has on your body and rosacea symptoms.

• If it's too difficult to transition to this entire diet overnight, transition meal by meal. Be patient and persistent. Be prepared to practice this diet at a minimum of 90% compliance for a minimum of three-to-six months to determine its potential impact on your rosacea.

• Wholesome snacks are included to avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes that can feed inflammation. Snacks are also included to avoid consumption of very large meals which may generate larger amounts of heat in the digestive process.

Supplements

There is also a lot more you can do about your diet besides discovering triggers. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat, especially dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, kale and asparagus. Look for foods high in vitamin A, beta-carotene, bioflavonoids and vitamin C and add them into your diet.

• B-vitamins: choose a good B-complex, with many different forms of B vitamins.
• Vitamin E: is both a great antioxidant and helps skin to heal.
• Vitamin A: is essential for skin health and healing. Be careful about dosage with vitamin A. High amounts of vitamin A (over 8,000 iu) are harmful to fetuses and should not be used by anyone who has the chance of becoming pregnant.
• Zinc: helps speed wound healing and has been used in acne.
• Essential Fatty Acids: fish and flax oil are great for the skin and the entire body.
• Selenium: is a great antioxidant and helps support skin health.

Kasia's skin specialist are here to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms to provide products that can help to alleviate discomfort, which  helps to change lives.    Whether you suffer from rosacea, or not -  a home care regimen will help the recovery process with an Kasia Anti-inflammatory Organic Facial specifically designed for our guests.

Call 612 824 7611 Today!

Reference:

Jamie Palmer/Osmosis.com dermaharmony.com