Dublin skin expert says Rosacea is a ‘bit of an Irish problem’

A Dublin-based skin expert says that Rosacea, a condition that causes redness on the face, is a bit of an “Irish problem”.

With April being Rosacea Awareness Month, Eavanna Breen, a skin expert and owner of her own clinic in Dublin 2, says there is more to the condition than a simple redness in the complexion.

Sensitive and fair Celtic skin can be especially prone to Rosacea, and according to the HSE, as many as one in 10 Irish people suffer from the condition.

“Rosacea generally shows itself around the central panel of the face; down the nose and across the cheekbones,” said Ms Breen.

Rosacea will often present as flushing, persistent redness, ‘thread veins’, dryness, burning or stinging.

While the skin condition is not pleasant, Ms Breen says people should not “freak out” if they display red cheeks.

“It’s important to have any symptoms sufficiently examined by a skin expert before considering any treatment,” she added.

Some may have mild flushing and slight dryness, while others can have more extreme symptoms where spots can appear like acne but without blackheads.

Ms Breen added that people often misdiagnose themselves with acne when it is Rosacea, and “months and even years go by” with them attempting to fix the problem with acne solutions.

As it stands, there is no cure for the skin condition, but there are treatments to mitigate Rosacea’s impact.

Common triggers can include factors such as diet, lifestyle, stress, temperature changes, and exposure to UV light.

Ms Breen said paying close attention to your diet and lifestyle can help people suffering from the skin condition to understand the cause behind their flare-ups.

“The psychological impact of rosacea cannot be overstated,” she said.

“Individuals dealing with this condition often experience a decline in self-esteem and confidence due to the visible nature of the disorder.

“This can lead to social withdrawal and avoidance of activities that may exacerbate symptoms, further affecting their quality of life.”

Some of her best tips to keep Rosacea under control is to understand the causes and effects of the condition, and avoiding common triggers like alcohol, acidic foods, stress and excessive heat.

Another key tip is using high-quality sunscreen daily to reduce the risk of flare-ups.

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