Rosacea or copper redness is a chronic skin disease that affects up to four million people in Germany. But how does rosacea develop and what are the causes? We’ll tell you!
The skin disease rosacea primarily affects women over the age of 30 and is usually a heavy burden for those affected. Feeling unwell about your own appearance puts a strain on your psyche. In addition, there is often pain in the reddened and nodular areas of skin. But what exactly is rosacea and what are the causes behind the disease?
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What is rosacea?
Rosacea – also known as ” copper rose ” or “facial rose” – is a chronic skin disease that manifests itself in inflamed and reddened areas of the skin. In 90 percent of cases, the middle part of the face is affected and the disease usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 40. Rosacea affects about two to five percent of the population in Germany – i.e. up to 4 million people.
Many people initially mistake the reddish rash for an allergy or acne. Characteristic of rosacea, however, are above all visibly protruding veins , painful nodules and blisters . In around 50 percent of the diagnosed cases, the patients also complain of eye problems .
Also interesting: My life with rosacea – a field report >>
What Are the Causes of Rosacea?
The exact cause of this skin disease is still unclear. However, dermatologists and scientists assume a multifactorial development , ie there are probably always several causes for rosacea. An overreaction of the immune system is named as the biggest factor, which would explain the inflammatory reactions of the affected skin areas. This is similar to other autoimmune diseases and could be of genetic origin.
Furthermore, pathological changes in the blood and lymph vessels could contribute to the development of rosacea, as could neuronal causes, i.e. defects in the nerve tracts and the nervous system. All of these factors could contribute to a certain protein found in the skin being overproduced and triggering an excessive immune response.
A certain type of mite – the so-called Demodex mite – was also increasingly found on the skin of those affected, which is why a causal connection is also obvious here.
Diet: what not to eat if you have rosacea
As with all inflammatory diseases, you should also focus on a plant-based diet with as little sugar and saturated fats as possible with rosacea. Because sugar and animal fatty acids can promote inflammatory reactions in the body and thus fuel rosacea. In addition, there are certain triggers in rosacea that can exacerbate the symptoms of the disease and trigger a flare-up. This includes alcohol as well as hot foods and spices such as chili, ginger or black pepper.
More: The right diet for rosacea and acne >>
