Seborrheic dermatitis: Diagnosis and treatment

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Redness and Pimple-like Bumps May Indicate Rosacea

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  Shawn Bishop

  November 23, 2012

November 23, 2012

Dear Mayo Clinic:

Over the past few months the skin on my cheeks has become slightly red, and I have what looks like acne on my cheeks. Could this be rosacea, and if so, is there a way to treat it?

Answer:

Changes such as the ones you describe may indicate rosacea, a common inflammatory skin condition. An estimated 14 million Americans have rosacea, which can be mistaken for other skin disorders, such as acne and skin allergies. The good news is that the pimple-like bumps of rosacea generally respond well to prescribed treatment and to efforts to avoid triggers that can aggravate the condition.

Although anyone can develop rosacea, it’s more likely to occur in people with fair skin and light eye and hair color. The condition typically appears between ages 30 and 60. Women are more likely than men to develop rosacea. However, it tends to be more severe in men. Its cause is unknown, but researchers believe rosacea is likely due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.

Rosacea can begin with a tendency for facial flushing. But when that’s the only sign and nothing further develops on your face, it may not be rosacea. Some people have a naturally ruddy complexion or chronic sun damage, which may give the appearance of rosacea.

Generally, signs and symptoms of rosacea are progressive. Persistent red areas may develop on the center area of your face — especially the nose — due to expanding (dilating) blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. With time, small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks may swell and become more visible. Skin tends to be overly sensitive — for some, oily skin and dandruff are part of the mix. The inflammatory phase of rosacea is marked by the appearance of small red bumps or pustules, which aren’t the same as whiteheads or blackheads associated with acne.

More than half of people with rosacea experience a burning or gritty eye sensation called ocular rosacea. The inner skin of the eyelids may become inflamed or appear scaly. A rare occurrence — mainly in men — may occur late in the course of rosacea where tissue builds up on or around the nose, giving the nose a large, bulbous appearance (rhinophyma).

True rosacea rarely clears up on its own. If you have persistent facial redness, see your doctor for diagnosis and proper treatment. You may notice that some of the following factors may make your face turn red (flush). If that’s the case, avoid:

• Temperature extremes
• Sunlight exposure
• Hot foods or beverages
• Spicy foods
• Alcohol
• Stress, anger or embarrassment
• Hot baths, saunas
• Medications that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications

Other than avoiding potential flushing triggers, there aren’t good treatments to address the problem of flushing on its own. However, if the flushing produces dilated vessels on your skin, laser surgery may help reduce the visibility of those blood vessels.

Gentle skin care practices are important to avoid irritating sensitive facial skin and to protect your skin from needless damage. Your doctor can recommend specific skin care products best suited for your skin type.

There are effective treatments for the pimple-like bumps caused by rosacea. Topical medications may help reduce these blemishes. Commonly used prescription topicals include antibiotics such as metronidazole (Metrocream, Metrogel, others), tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, others), benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid (Azelex, Finacea) and sulfacetamide (Klaron).

Topicals may be used alone or in combination with oral antibiotics, which also help reduce inflammation. Oral antibiotics tend to work faster than topical ones. Once symptoms improve, you may be taken off the oral antibiotics and use just topical medication to help keep rosacea in remission.

Ocular rosacea is typically treated with oral antibiotics. If needed, your doctor may prescribe steroid eyedrops. In the rare instances of rhinophyma, treatments such as laser surgery can be used to remove tissue buildup.

Treatment for rosacea varies depending on the severity of your symptoms. Although there’s no cure for rosacea, you can often suppress symptoms and keep rosacea under control with medications and self-care.

— Dawn Davis, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

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what is it, causes of rashes, how to get rid of it

What is acne

Pimples are inflammatory elements on the skin. Why do they appear? Excess sebum mixes with dead cells of the epidermis and external impurities, clogs the sebaceous ducts and the mouths of the hair follicles, forming a sebaceous plug in them. An airless environment creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of propionic acne bacteria, which provoke the appearance of inflammatory foci.

Where pimples most often appear on the face

Mostly pimples break out against the background of excessive production of sebum. Therefore, owners of oily skin type have a higher risk of their occurrence. The sebaceous glands are highly sensitive to the sex hormones androgens. It is with this that imperfections on the skin are associated.

However, rashes can often form in areas where the pores are almost invisible and the sebaceous glands are practically absent. Why do acne appear on the face? We will analyze the main reasons for their occurrence, depending on the location.

Many active sebaceous glands are located in this area of ​​the face, which is why the skin here is most often shiny. The pores in the T-zone are enlarged and more prone to clogging. The manifestation of acne can be influenced by many factors, among which: disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disorders or gynecological problems. Acne under the nose often erupts as a result of an inflammatory process in the hair follicles, for example from sweat or a cold.

Pimples on the cheeks often appear during puberty due to overactive work of the sebaceous glands. Among the causes of acne in this area may also be hormonal disorders or problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Small superficial pimples on the cheeks, cheekbones and neck in men often appear after shaving. If inflamed acne formed on the temples.

Types of rashes on the face

• Open comedones (black dots) are superficially clogged pores, the sebum plug in which has a gray or black tint due to the oxidative reaction of its contents with oxygen.
• Closed comedones are clogged, unopened sebaceous ducts.
• Papules (subcutaneous nodules) – small dense subcutaneous rashes, are inflammatory.
• Pustules – pustular rashes (classic purulent pimples with a white head), characterized by inflammation and purulent contents.
• Nodular cystic acne – dense and large subcutaneous nodes, often have purulent contents and cause severe pain.

The cause of acne on the face at different ages

Let’s look at the main causes of acne in adolescents and adults.

The skin is a hormone-dependent organ, so acne on the face in adolescents occurs mainly when the gonads begin to work. The sebaceous hair follicles are sensitive to the effects of male hormones – androgens. When their level in the body rises, the skin of adolescents becomes oily, the pores become enlarged, and numerous rashes appear on the face: comedones and acne.

In adulthood, hormonal disorders of the body may also be responsible for rashes on the face. In addition, in adults with oily skin type, hyperkeratinization of the ducts of the sebaceous glands occurs (increased keratinization of the skin), as a result of which they clog faster. As a result, the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms is accelerated and acne appears. At any age, the causes of their occurrence can also be insufficient or improperly selected skin care, certain diseases or taking certain medications, frequent stress and lack of sleep, and an unbalanced diet.

If you have acne, how to deal with it

If you are concerned about acne, it is recommended that you seek professional help. It is especially important to consult a dermatologist or cosmetologist if there are more acne on the face, new painful acne or hard nodular formations regularly appear. To select the appropriate therapy, in addition to a full-time examination, a specialist can prescribe a number of tests and examinations. In addition, the doctor can advise home care and a course of salon procedures.

How a cosmetologist can help in the fight against acne

In a cosmetology office, procedures are most often performed to prevent the occurrence of acne and correct their consequences (evening out post-acne marks). Facial cleansing (mechanical or hardware) deeply and efficiently frees pores from impurities, preventing the appearance of imperfections. Facial peels help to remove the dead skin layer and prevent clogging of pores, further stimulating the renewal of the epidermis. Some hardware and injection techniques also help to improve the condition of oily problem skin. For example, mesotherapy, based on the introduction of special concentrated injections into the skin, restores metabolic processes in cells, stimulates skin regeneration.

Is it possible to prevent the appearance of acne on the face

Care and a healthy lifestyle, properly selected according to the type and needs of the skin, will help maintain a healthy appearance of the skin. Eat a balanced diet, try to be less nervous and get enough sleep. Do not try to squeeze acne yourself – it is better to contact a specialist for the selection of suitable procedures for cleansing problem skin. Try not to touch your face with your hands. Follow the rules of personal hygiene – change towels and pillowcases more often.
For care in a comprehensive beauty routine, include the following steps: skin cleansing in the morning and evening, intensive cleansing once or twice a week (for example, soft peels, clay masks), skin toning, the use of products with sebum-regulating, porosity, moisturizing, regenerating, antibacterial components , daily skin protection from the sun.

How to care for problematic skin prone to rashes on the face.

How should problematic skin be treated? We offer a comprehensive beauty routine from La Roche-Posay, thanks to which it will be possible to reduce imperfections on the face.

Every skin type starts with cleansing twice a day.

• For pre-cleansing oily problematic skin, choose Effaclar Ultra micellar water (Effaclar Ultra). The tool helps to qualitatively cleanse the skin of impurities of various kinds, as well as make-up from the face and skin around the eyes without the use of water. Additionally reduces oily sheen, mattifies, visibly softens and soothes the skin.
• For daily cleansing of oily, problematic facial skin and the fight against acne, cleansing foaming Effaclar Gel (Effaclar Gel) is suitable. The tool helps to effectively cleanse the pores of impurities, removing excess sebum. Contains zinc, which has a mattifying effect, and La Roche-Posay thermal water, known for its soothing and protective properties.
• Effaclar Micro Exfoliating Cleansing Gel for skin with pronounced imperfections helps to intensively cleanse the skin of impurities and dead skin cells of the epidermis thanks to its exfoliating action (the formula contains 2% salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid). The tool helps to reduce imperfections and post-acne, preventing their recurrence. Suitable for cleansing problem skin of the face and body.
• For problematic skin weakened by the use of overdrying acne products, look to Effaclar H Iso-Biome Soothing Cleansing Cream-Gel (Effaclar Ash Iso-Biome). Contains shea butter and soothing niacinamide in the composition, which the product has a moisturizing and soothing effect, reduces the feeling of discomfort and dryness of the skin. Helps reduce blackheads and imperfections, cares for the microbiome of oily skin, reduces skin dryness by restoring its barrier function.
• For deep pore cleansing and blackhead reduction, use the Effaclar Purifying Mattifying Mask for Oily Problem Skin once or twice a week, based on kaolin (a special type of clay) and panthenol. The tool helps to visibly reduce pores, has a matting effect, qualitatively cleanses the skin of all various types of impurities and additionally noticeably soothes it.

For problematic skin, choose products with moisturizing, antibacterial, keratolytic, repairing, soothing, mattifying ingredients. They will help control oily skin and sebum synthesis, reduce clogging of pores and strengthen the protective functions of the epidermis.

• Effaclar Ultra** Concentrated Serum is suitable, for example, for evening care against imperfections. The tool helps to visibly reduce pores, reduce traces of post-acne, evens out the microrelief of the skin and has a noticeable keratolytic and renewing effect. Suitable for mature skin with imperfections. The formula includes a complex of exfoliating and renewing acids: salicylic, glycolic, lipohydroxy acids. Niacinamide in the composition has a calming effect. If you prefer to use the product as a day care, then be sure to include a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher in your daily routine.
• Effaclar Duo(+) Correcting Cream-Gel (Effaclar Duo Plus) is designed for problematic and oily skin prone to imperfections and post-acne, and is suitable for day or night care. It has corrective and moisturizing properties, eliminates oily shine of the face. The cream is also presented in the format of a tinting agent: it is suitable as an alternative to tonal foundations, it helps to even out the tone and mask imperfections.
• Effaclar Duo(+) SPF30/PPD10 Corrective Day Cream-Gel for Problem Skin is suitable as a summer treatment for oily skin prone to rashes. The product protects the skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet A and B, helps to reduce the number of imperfections and clogged pores, and prevents post-acne. Additionally mattifies the skin and has an exfoliating and renewing effect thanks to salicylic acid and LHA in the composition.
• Moisturizing matting emulsion Effaclar Mat (Effaklar Mat) prevents dehydration of oily skin, additionally has a pore-constricting and noticeable matting effect, preventing unwanted shine of the face. Efficiency is achieved due to the formula with sebulism and perlitome in the composition of the product.
• Corrective facial emulsion with carnosine and a complex of acids with keratolytic properties (salicylic + lipohydroxy acid) Effaclar K (+) (Effaclar) helps fight visible imperfections: reduces black spots, has a keratolytic property and evens out the relief of the face. The product effectively cleanses and tightens pores, has a matting effect.
• For problematic skin weakened by overdrying acne treatments, try Effaclar H Iso-Biome Ultra-Soothing Imperfection Repair. The product visibly soothes the skin, prevents dryness and tightness, and restores the microbiome. Visibly reduces imperfections, blackheads & acne marks.

Don’t forget to protect oily problematic skin from the sun every day. Ultraviolet radiation can damage the epidermis, disrupting its barrier functions, causing dehydration and the appearance of new imperfections.

• Also check out Anthelios SPF50+/PPD2 7 Sun Mattifying Face Cream. The product has a very high degree of sun protection, suitable for use in the hot season and on vacation. Prevents the appearance of imperfections.

*SFP – UV protection factor type B

PPD – UV protection factor type A

**among products of brand

Types of rashes on the face: causes and how to deal with

Types of rashes on the face: causes and how to deal with
Human skin is an organ that is exposed to external factors every day. With increased sensitivity and disruption of the sebaceous glands, rashes appear. Not only young girls and boys are concerned about the solution to this problem, acne has “matured” significantly over the past 10 years. Eruptions on the face systematically occur in people of both sexes of all ages. Why acne and acne appear, is it possible to get rid of them once and for all, read on. Let’s talk about common rashes, present their classification according to severity.

First, let’s look at the causes of rashes on the face. They occur on the skin of any type, each needs special care and individual selection of cosmetic products. The main cause of acne is an increase in the level of male hormones in the blood. Unfavorable conditions further enhance the inflammatory process. Among them:

• abrupt change in ambient temperature;
• frequent touching with dirty hands;
• fast food and fatty foods, other.

Normal skin also develops rashes on the face: small or large painful pimples. This is due to improper care and hormonal changes.
Internal processes in the body play a key role, well-being and appearance depend on them. With a hormonal surge, colossal problems can arise: from weight gain to changes in skin type. Rashes often appear, they are also the result of taking complex medications. The described problem has many causes, in each case an individual approach is needed to find the most correct solution.

• comedone. Another name is a sebaceous plug, which clogs the pore and can cause serious inflammation. This is the beginning of the problem. Comedones are white and black, open and closed. With adequate care and high-quality cleansing, they pass quickly; if an infection gets in, they turn into papules;
• pustule. Red neoplasm with purulent contents. After maturation, a white dot appears in the focus of inflammation;
• papule. Ripe pimple, which is accompanied by painful sensations. When pressed, it becomes pale, causes discomfort on palpation. Papules vary in color from red to bluish;
• lightning pimple. It occurs in large numbers in people who have been suffering from acne for a long time. Lightning neoplasms are considered the most severe, when they appear, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. This acne affects locally, provokes a change in the formula of leukocytes in the blood, is manifested by strong and painful sensations in the muscles and bones;
• nodular cystic pimple. Another severe form of acne that develops from a pustule. Occurs in large numbers, causes discomfort and is located deep in the dermis. These rashes are interconnected by fistulous ducts.

As you can see, painful acne in most cases should be treated by a specialist. The complexity of the clinical picture is judged by the severity of acne. There are only four of them:

1. Eruptions occur on one of the areas of the face. Often they are comedones, and not neoplasms of more serious forms.

2. Mostly white pimples, papules and pustules appear in several areas, sometimes also on the body. This degree differs from the previous one in the scale of localization.

3. There is a pronounced inflammatory process, a significant number of rashes and redness. Experts note hyperemia, there is post-acne.

4. Pimples of large size, spherical shape affect several layers of the skin, have a red-bluish color. Alternate with atrophic scars.

Skin genetics are taken into account in problem analysis. The greater the thickness of the cover, the higher the likelihood of developing seborrhea. Fighting acne at home is only in the initial stages, severe forms are the specialty of dermatologists.

Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance. If improperly selected care is added to it, ideal conditions are formed for the reproduction of bacteria. The microorganism that causes acne is called propion bacteria.

It is better to consult a beautician or dermatologist for advice. It is worth reviewing the diet, eliminating sweets, fatty and spicy foods, coffee. Food must be healthy and fresh, otherwise the problem will get worse.
Daily cosmetic care is of great importance.

The algorithm for correct actions is as follows:

1. Mandatory make-up removal at the end of the day.

2. Cleansing with lotion or foam for problematic skin.

3. Toning (very important for the normalization of the sebaceous glands and other processes that occur at the cellular level).

4. Moisturizing.
When the seasons change, care is reviewed, nutrition is added in winter, if necessary. In summer, use products with a light formula.
About allergic rashes
Now about situations when small pimples appear on the face. These rashes can really be masked with tonal means, but you should not do this so as not to provoke the appearance of purulent neoplasms.

Allergic reactions often present with itching that is difficult to get rid of. The problem arises for the following reasons: violation of barrier functions or genetically predetermined reactivity of the skin. In the latter case, anything can provoke the manifestation of an allergy on the face. For example, aggressive weather conditions, food, stressful situations.

Allergic rashes on the face are treated as follows:

• use hypoallergenic cosmetics;
• exclude citrus fruits, berries, chocolate, coffee, nuts, honey, canned food from the diet;
• avoid cosmetic procedures.

If you follow the recommendations, after 7-10 days the face will be clear.

Eruptions on the face are not only acne. It is impossible not to say about herpetic formations and visible redness on the cheeks. The latter refers to rosacea, when the vascular network is clearly visible. It is almost impossible to hide it, you need to contact a dermatologist.
Herpes appears in the presence of a corresponding pathogen in the body and a decrease in immunity. The virus cannot be destroyed, it is in a dormant state for a long time and wakes up after stress, colds, and other diseases. You can get rid of herpetic eruptions on the face in a few days, for this it is enough to buy a targeted ointment in a pharmacy. To avoid relapses, avoid hypothermia and strengthen the immune system (active lifestyle, proper nutrition).

During the treatment of acne on the face, special preparations are prescribed. These are antiseptic and antibacterial compounds for external use. Experts also strongly recommend sticking to a diet and doing a general detox. Gentle nutrition and the use of sorbents help to eliminate harmful substances, normalize hormonal levels and improve skin condition. In parallel with ointments and gels, vitamin complexes are often used.
Separately, make up facial care.