16 Million Americans Have Some Form of Rosacea; Are You One of Them?

On out of every five people have roscea, it is a skin condition that is often over looked.

Derm Dr. Jean Buhac is describing rosacea, a genetic condition that causes a flush red appearance on the face -- there are four types.

"I've seen patients in high school and actually if you look back, they have always been blushers," said Buhac. "The first type is a flushing talangic tasia type where you get redness, easily flushed. The second one is papular pustular rosacea and third is a grandulomadous rosacea very, thick swollen itchy persistent bumps on the  face. The fourth is ocular rosacea they get itchy dry-eye sensation."

Symptoms can come and go however certain factors can make the condition worsen.

"Exposure to sun, stress, intense exercise, alcohol, spicy foods," said Buhac.  

Topical creams and oral medication are used to treat the condition. Some patients suffer long lasting effects.

"Over time when people are flushing they will develop talangic tasia or blood vessels on their cheeks or around the nose, that is from ongoing inflammation in the skin and there is a little scarring around the blood vessels that keeps it dilated," said Buhac.

To treat the enlarged blood vessels a pulse dye laser can be used.

"We use a pulse dye laser, it heats the blood vessels up to a higher temperature, they collapse, your body will take away all the degraded vessel," said Buhac.  

Most patients require two to three sessions which at this time is not covered by insurance. Natural products may help.

"There is some evidence that flaxseed helps and Primrose," said Buhac.

Also, it is highly recommended people with any type of rosacea use sun screen to protect the skin from further damage.