What we know now about the causes of rosacea and skin care

Is it just a red face? Or is it rosacea?

Anyone can experience redness of the face due to changes in temperature or the seasons, but if the redness persists or recurs frequently, it may be rosacea.

Check to see if you experience more than one of the following symptoms.

Early signs

• Do you experience redness or warmth on your nose, cheeks, forehead, or chin?
• Does your skin feel tougher?

Key Signs

• Are you experiencing more frequent flushing or hot flashes?
• Do you have acne-like bumps?
• Do you have any pimples that leak pus?
• Can you see the blood vessels under the skin?
• Do your eyes often get red or itchy?

Signs of aggravation

• Is your skin inflamed and feeling hot and tingly?
• Is your skin swollen?
• Do you have dry or flaky skin?
• Is your nose swollen?

What is sake?

Rosacea causes redness on the face, especially on the cheeks and nose, that does not heal quickly and continues to cause chronic skin inflammation.

It is said to be more common in women over 30, but it has also been pointed out that men are more likely to develop the condition when it becomes severe.

There is little data on how many patients there are in Japan, but the American Academy of Dermatology has announced that there are 4 million rosacea patients in the United States.

What are the main causes of rosacea?

The causes of rosacea are poorly understood, and unfortunately, there is no established cure.

However, it appears that it can now be effectively controlled through lifestyle modifications and medical treatment.
Recent research has identified four underlying causes of rosacea:

• Immune system disorders
• Impaired nervous system signaling
• Chronic inflammation in the body
• Microbial overgrowth and changes in the microbiome

What is the microbiome: Is Helicobacter pylori more prevalent in rosacea skin?

The microorganisms that live on and inside the human body and their functions are called the "microbiome." This may sound difficult, but it may be easier to understand if you think of it as the "intestinal flora" or "resident bacteria."

A 2019 study showed a link between skin flora and rosacea. It was discovered that the bacterial environment and condition on the skin is different between healthy skin and rosacea.

For example, people with rosacea have a high presence of Helicobacter pylori on their skin.

"Isn't Helicobacter pylori in the intestines?"

This may come as a surprise to some, but H. pylori is actually present on the skin. Just as H. pylori in the intestines can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, H. pylori on the skin can lead to rosacea.

And surprisingly, it's not just the bacterial condition of the skin that's involved in rosacea.

When the intestinal flora of people with rosacea was examined, a link was also found between irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and inflammatory bowel disease, which means that the intestinal environment affects the skin.

Skin mites may also be a cause of rosacea

Rosacea symptoms may also be related to skin mites.

Mites live in the pores of mammals, and humans are no exception.

There is a mite called "Demodex" that lives on the human face. It is a very small mite that can be found on anyone's skin. It is said that it is impossible to completely eliminate Demodex from human skin, as it is a mite that coexists with us humans.

In Japan, they are also known as "face mites" or "acne mites." Although they have a name that sounds like they're evil, Demodex normally maintains the balance of bacteria on the skin. They are by no means bad for the skin.

However, an overgrowth of Demodex bacteria, caused by improper skin care or medication, can lead to acne and rosacea, and Demodex bacteria has been found in greater amounts on the skin of people with rosacea than on healthy skin.

The relationship between allergies and rosacea

A study of 340 people diagnosed with rosacea (or rosacea-like dermatitis) in the Tohoku region of Japan also suggested a link between allergies and rosacea.

Of the 340 people surveyed, more than 27% had a history of hay fever, and more than 19% had a history of contact skin allergies . The study also noted that of the 78 people who underwent allergy testing, 46 were allergic to cedar, 33 to house dust mites, and 31 to house dust.

This means that your everyday living environment may affect the symptoms of rosacea.

Rosacea Skin Care

In a survey conducted by the National Rosacea Society in the United States , 82% of rosacea patients said they have sensitive skin , and that their skin reacts to a variety of cosmetics.

However, it has been shown that using appropriate skin care products that are not irritating to the skin can improve the barrier function of the skin of people with rosacea and increase moisture retention. So, what kind of skin care is best for skin with rosacea? There are four points to keep in mind.

Avoid alkaline cosmetics

For example, soaps that seem good for your skin are actually slightly alkaline and may irritate skin with rosacea.

Be mindful of gentle moisturizers and cleansers

To restore the skin's barrier function, it is important to be aware of protecting the skin's natural sebum. Try reconsidering excessive moisturizing, which can impede the function of sebum.
Also, excessive cleansing, such as double cleansing, is also a no-no. Until your skin calms down, we recommend using cleansing products that are gentle on the skin, such as refraining from using cleansing oils that contain mineral oil as the main ingredient, which has a high degreasing power.

Choose a formula that is free of allergens and irritants

Even organic and natural cosmetics may contain ingredients that are irritating to the skin or pose a high risk of allergies. Don't choose cosmetics just because they "seem good."
If you're having trouble deciding which cosmetics to use, we recommend choosing fragrance-free products for sensitive skin.

Maintains balance of skin flora

As mentioned above, there are many bacteria and mites on the skin. Trying to remove all bacteria and mites for the sake of healthy skin is counterproductive. It is important to be conscious of maintaining a normal balance of bacteria and mites on the face.

For example, preservatives in cosmetics may inhibit the balanced activity of bacteria and microorganisms. In particular, the preservative phenoxyethanol has been pointed out as disrupting the balance of bacteria normally present on the skin . You may also want to reconsider your use of wet tissues and face masks, which tend to contain strong preservatives.

How was it?
This time we talked about rosacea and the common bacteria and facial mites that may cause it.

I hope this will be helpful for those who are aiming for healthy skin.

*This article is a summary of research and other information and is not based on medical opinion. If you have symptoms of rosacea (rosacea-like dermatitis), we recommend that you receive a diagnosis from a specialist.