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This Will Fundamentally Change the Way You Look at Benzac Rosacea

This Will Fundamentally Change the Way You Look at Benzac Rosacea

Benzac rosacea is a popular skin condition that is characterized by a red flush with painful bumps that look like acne and appear commonly on the face.

 Chronic skin diseases are characterized by erythema and telangiectasia which are visible blood vessels and when inflammation occurs, pustules or papules are formed

Benzac rosacea is more common in females than males 2:1 and more diagnosed in southern Europe.

Benzac rosacea and acne are very close so they are mistaken for each other and treatment depends mainly on distinguishing the two.

Classification of Benzac rosacea

Rosacea society expert committee classifies rosacea into 4 major subtypes and several non-classic subtypes. 

1-Major subtypes 

1- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) is the most common subtype and is  characterized by flushing and central erythema on the face but telangiectasia is prominent on the cheek and nose that last more than 10 minutes 

2- Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) is an uncommon subtype that presents with small dome-shaped erythematous papules and surrounding pustules on the center of the face.

This subtype is commonly associated with erythema and telangiectasia and may be manifested by rhinophyma due to hyperplasia of sebaceous glands and connective tissue.

3- Phy matous rosacea is manifested by rhinophyma.

4- Ocular rosacea 

Patients with this subtype have mild symptoms, such as burning or stinging in the eye and manifested by conjunctivitis, blepharitis, inflamed eyelids, and meibomian glands.

2-Non-classic subtypes 

1- Glandular rosacea is present with thick and sebaceous skin papules and pustules and nodulocystic lesions.

2- Granulomatous rosacea is yellow, brown, or red papules on the cheek and the area around the eye and the mouth.

Stages of development of Benzac rosacea

1- Pre Rosacea

occurs early in childhood and blushing is the main symptom.

2 -Stage II 

 This is the beginning of the vascular stage in which transient erythema and mild telangiectasia occur.

3- Stage III 

telangiectasia increases and ocular changes occur with the formation of pustules and papules.

4- Stage IV

This is the stage of manifestation in which ocular inflammation occurs leading to visual loss and rhinophyma is formed due to fibroplasia and sebaceous hyperplasia.

Signs and symptoms of Benzac rosacea

1-Primary symptoms

Primary signs and symptoms involve transient and non-transient erythema, papules, pustules, and telangiectasia.

One or more primary signs and symptoms on the center of the face are highly suspended for rosacea

2-Secondary symptoms

Secondary signs and symptoms involve burning, stinging, plaques, edema, dryness,phymatous changes, and ocular manifestations.

 Secondary signs and symptoms may occur with or without primary signs and symptoms

 difference between Benzac rosacea and acne

Age of the patient is an important feature in distinguishing between acne and Benzac rosacea as acne appears first for young during puberty and adulthood but Benzac rosacea can be diagnosed after 30 years old. 

 The site of the lesion can be remarkable as rosacea usually appears on the center of the face, cheeks, chin, and forehead but acne appears anywhere on your face or your body

  We can distinguish between Benzac rosacea and acne by comedones which are specific for acne whether open or closed

 comedones are clogged pores but not inflamed, not red, painful, or swollen

 there are two types of comedones

1- Open comedones which are pores filled with small black dots forming blackheads.

2- Closed comedones which are white in the middle and covered by a thin layer of skin over the top.

 inflamed comedones such as pustule, papules, nodules, and cyst are common factor between acne and Benzac rosacea but the difference is when acne become inflamed, comedones enlarge to be a swollen and red cyst filled with the bus due to overgrowth of the bacteria and when rosacea becomes inflamed, it forms swollen and red bumps

causes and risk factors of Benzac rosacea 

1- causes 

1-The exact cause of Benzac rosacea is unknown but recent studies have linked Helicobacter pylori with rosacea.

2- Climatic changes.

3- Ingestion of chemical agents.

4- Endothelial damage.

5- Matrix degeneration.

6 -Vascular hemostasis.

 2-external risk factors:          

1- Sun Exposure.

2- Cold and heat.

3- Stress.

4- Spicy foods and alcohol.

5- Strong emotions.

6- Skincare products containing acids and retinoids or acne treatments.

causes and risk factors of acne 

acne is triggered by internal factors such as 

1- Hormonal changes and fluctuations such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

2- Hormone replacement treatments, especially those containing testosterone.

3- Some medications such as birth control pills, IUD, and steroids.

diagnosis and treatment of Benzac rosacea

Despite all the previous differences between acne and rosacea, you may have both which make you confused and need a dermatologist to give an accurate diagnosis.

 Don't worry, if you have some symptoms of acne and others of rosacea because some doctors say that treatment may be the same for both so you may have rosacea and your doctor will give you a prescription of acne treatment and it will be effective

 Azelaic acid gel 15% is recommended by dermatologists because it's available and useful in treating both acne and rosacea and in contrast to other acids, azelaic acid does not irritate the tissue

 Benzoyl peroxide and retinoids are effective as a treatment of acne and rosacea but they are not suitable for all people especially those with sensitive skin so ask your doctor before trying any of these products

 antibiotics are a great treatment for acne and rosacea as topical antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamycin reduce skin redness while systemic antibiotics such as doxycycline are effective in reducing inflammation

You can help the treatment to be more effective by avoiding triggers and managing your flare-ups and use sensitive skincare products which are recommended by your dermatologist.

 Some treatments cause mild flare-ups at the first especially with sensitive skin so you need to use treatment for at least 3months and your doctor will start with a few products and give them a few weeks to work and then decide to stop them or add other products to your routine

 If the treatment doesn't achieve any improvement with you, you need to be examined by your dermatologist again