According to Dr Patel, rosacea’s key feature is redness: “flushing which typically lasts longer than 10 minutes.” Less visible – yet equally annoying – symptoms include:
- Skin irritation
- A burning/tingling sensation
- Dryness
- Tearing
- Blurred vision
- Hypersensitivity
How should people know the flushing is rosacea – instead of menopausal, or from that final glass of red wine?
“Rosacea flushing generally lasts longer, but as well as closely examining the skin (by the naked eye or microscope) it’s crucial to understand the details of clients’ lives to pinpoint it, and then offer effective solutions.”
What are the triggers?
Alcohol and spicy foods are the most frequently discussed triggers, although Louise was aware of this and found cutting them out made little difference.
“Wind or sun, hot baths/showers, stress, extreme temperatures, exercise and some skincare products, like chemical-based sun protection” can be triggering, says Dr Patel.
Louise turned to Justine Masters, a well-known facialist, for help. Masters agrees that use of the wrong products can lead to flare-ups.
Dr Patel says: “Frequently people mistake rosacea for acne, so they turn to the products of their teens to combat this, but they’re too harsh, further inflaming the skin. Your skin’s needs change over time, and continuing to use products you’re loyal to, or worse – investing in expensive anti-ageing regimes – can do more harm than good.”
He also says stress can be blamed, which Louise believes was true in her case. The drama teacher from west London had always enjoyed a clear complexion until lockdown.
Masters insists that “stress is the one trigger that most affects the skin”.
She adds: “When bodies are stressed, they slow down the production of HCI, the stomach acid needed to break down food and allow us to absorb nutrients.”
Masters has worked with women’s skin for years and runs holistic clinics across London. “Healthy skin needs the right nutrients, so my first approach to rosacea is first to understand the client’s life, identifying the stresses causing the flare-ups.”
Who is most at risk from developing rosacea?
“Age, ethnicity and gender all play a part, as does genetics, as there is a higher incidence of rosacea in those with a family history,” says Dr Patel.
“The condition most commonly affects women aged 30-50,” says Dr Patel, though he has treated men and young people too. No one is immune. “Fair skin types, those with that classic ‘Irish’ pale complexion, are more at risk.”