The Symptoms Are…
It's summer and the sun is warm and invigorating. You love spending time outdoors enjoying the warm weather, trips to the beach and backyard barbeques. But lately you've noticed the "healthy glow" from being outdoors is remaining on your face a little too long. Your cheeks and nose, in particular, are sporting a red flush long after you've gone indoors to escape the heat and sun. So why is your face still red?
Maybe it's Rosacea
Many people don't realize that these prolonged flushings and blushings are not always a result of sunburn, but a common condition called rosacea, which affects an estimated 14 million Americans. Sun exposure is one of the leading triggers of rosacea.
"Rosacea sufferers have to contend with summer's high temperatures and humidity, as well as exposure to the sun," says Dr. James Del Rosso, a Las Vegas-based dermatologist in private practice. These combined factors trigger the flushing response on the face and cheeks. Over time, sun exposure causes damage to the middle support layer of the skin with dilation of blood vessels making the face appear red for a prolonged or consistent amount of time. Managing rosacea in the early stages of the condition with a therapeutic treatment can keep the symptoms from progressing to the next stage, which can include a thickening and coarsening of the skin around the cheeks and nose, as well as acne-like red bumps.
"It's important for rosacea sufferers to be especially strict about following their skin care regime in the summer, especially if they are on an antibiotic treatment that can cause additional sun-sensitivity," says Del Rosso. "Use sunscreen daily, limit and avoid sun exposure, and stay in shaded areas as much as possible to keep cool." In addition, proper clothing can supply excellent protection from the sun. A hat to shade the face may be especially useful for sun-sensitive rosacea patients. If you think you may have rosacea, see a dermatologist immediately. While there is no known cure, rosacea can be controlled with early treatment.