Rosacea is a chronic skin condition affecting primarily face. It is manifested by redness, papules , pustules as well as swelling. The origin/cause of rosacea is not clear, yet it is suggested that both genetic and environmental factors can play a critical role in rosacea development. For more information about rosacea please see articles available at http://www.pubmed.com.
Below described is my case of rosacea. It has started circa 2008 with a severe scratch of my forehead (the upper, middle part of the forehead, adjacent to the hairline). The scratch resulted from a very intense itchy sensation (worthy to mention: I had been working all day long at the common computer with a dirty keyboard (thus dirty hands/nails)… 😦 ). Sadly, I have to admit I have neglected my did and just later on at the end of the day had I realized an intense red mark appeared on my forehead (no blood though). I was hoping that it will vanish within few days, but I was wrong. Not only the red mark stayed, but it also spread along the hairline. It was few months later I went to see my doctor (primary care physician, not a dermatologist) and she prescribed me TRIDERM (she believed it is an insignificant fungal/bacterial infection). Unfortunately, the ointment did not work and my impression was it made the redness even worst. Over time the redness started to get larger. First, it spread from the center of the forehead to the left and right sides (along the entire hairline), but then it started to expand from the top of the forehead to its bottom (finally it stopped in the middle).
In circa 2012 I decided to visit dermatologist. Upon biopsy and lab tests the condition has been classified as rosacea and I was put on METRONIDAZOLE gel and DOXYCYCLINE pills. After 1 month of treatment I could say it does not work for me (even though I have to admit my skin was not so oily).
Long-story-short, it is 2019 and I my forehead is still reddish. It is not as inflamed as it was in 2008-2012, but it has clearly visible dilated blood vessels. It neither hurts nor bothers me except it looks weird. Regarding my chicks… they are red. Interestingly, I was always a pale kid. The redness started to progress gradually when I was 24 – 28 years old (before I have scratched my forehead) and I have to admit that at the beginning I was glad to see some color (and not pale/white chicks). However, later on (when I was 33-38) it went too far.
Finally, I decided to do some online research and to learn more about rosacea. I have to admit that a significant progress in understanding rosacea occurred when comparing 20010 vs 2019 :-). I will try to systematically provide here information about progress in rosacea treatment in general as well as bring more information about my own case.
Rosacea 