Rosacea in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Rosacea, a skin condition that causes the skin to appear red and inflamed, is commonly presented around the nose and cheeks. It can frequently be mistaken for other skin conditions but can be treated and managed if diagnosed properly. Fort Lauderdale Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL offers several advanced solutions. Rosacea can occur to almost anyone, but it's widespread among middle-aged older women with fair skin. This is a skin condition with no actual cure, but it can be managed. If left untreated, it can worsen over time, causing symptoms to return and flare up for days or weeks. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson will evaluate your skin for rosacea and develop a personalized treatment plan to keep the symptoms at a minimum.

While the specific cause of rosacea is unknown, Dr. Wilkerson believes that it's caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental aspects. People of Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry seem to have a higher incidence of rosacea. Patients usually have other family members who suffer from rosacea or severe acne. People who are prone to have bad acne have a higher risk of developing rosacea. Scientists believe that immune system overreactions can cause rosacea, especially when the immune system overreacts to a particular bacterium or a mite. These theories, however, haven't been shown to be fully validated.

There are a significant number of factors that may aggravate rosacea since they increase the blood flow to the surface of the skin. These can include alcohol, spicy foods, hot beverages, sun, extreme temperatures, hot baths or showers, stress, embarrassment or anger, strenuous exercise, and certain medications.

Signs of rosacea can vary from mild to severe. The standard sign of rosacea is a red face. In most patients, the central portion of the face is noticeably red. The blood vessels of the nose and cheeks can swell and become visible. Other symptoms include red and swollen bumps on the face that looks similar to acne. Sometimes the bumps are pus-filled. The skin can also feel hot and tender to the touch. Around half of rosacea sufferers have eye problems, such as dryness, irritation, and reddened swollen eyelids. In rare circumstances, a patient's nose can appear enlarged because rosacea can cause the skin around the nose to thicken, which results in a bulbous appearance.

Although there is no cure for rosacea, there are a number of treatment alternatives available, like antibiotics that help with inflammation. You can use the medication in a pill form or as a cream, lotion, or gel. Pills tend to be more effective in the short-term but can trigger more side effects. If antibiotics aren't effective, acne drugs, such as isotretinoin, have proven to work for some patients. Surgery might be necessary in situations where the symptoms become permanent, such as enlarged blood vessels or inflammation that won't respond to other therapies. Laser surgery or electrosurgery can be chosen to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and remove excessive tissue buildup around the nose.

Rosacea not only creates physical symptoms but emotional ones as patients are often self-conscious in public and avoid social situations because of the redness. If you believe you have rosacea, please call Fort Lauderdale Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL to schedule a consultation so you can put your best face forward today. Our exceptional dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson is highly trained and knowledgeable in cutting-edge treatments that can help.