The Emotional Toll of Rosacea
Individuals with rosacea have the characteristic facial flush that is triggered by a wide variety of factors — from spicy foods to stressful events to a sudden change in temperature. Other symptoms include the appearance of spider-like veins in the face, a bulbous nose, irritable eyes, and acne-like sores.
Fear and loathing with rosacea
Although the aforementioned symptoms may be harmless, the results of a recent survey by the National Rosacea Society suggest that rosacea sufferers experience negative emotions including anxiety, embarrassment, and reduced self-esteem.
In a press release, the National Rosacea Society revealed that rosacea, regardless of severity, had a negative impact on its sufferers. Here’s an excerpt of the press release:
“Of the total patients surveyed, 90 percent said that rosacea’s effect on their personal appearance had lowered their self-esteem and self-confidence, and 88 percent said they had suffered embarrassment. They also reported a wide range of other negative feelings, including frustration, cited by 76 percent; anxiety and helplessness, each noted by 54 percent; depression, 43 percent; anger, 34 percent; and isolation, 32 percent. Fifty-two percent of the respondents said they had avoided face-to-face contact because of the disorder.”
Treatment of rosacea at K Plastic Surgery
As a chronic condition with a poorly understood cause, treatment for rosacea at K Plastic Surgery is personalized and is primarily geared towards identifying the triggers and consequently avoiding them through lifestyle modifications. Additionally, a combination of topical and oral medications has also been shown to work in reducing the severity of symptoms such as those unsightly pimple-like bumps. Pulsed-dye lasers can also significantly reduce the appearance of spider-like veins by targeting the underlying blood vessels without disturbing the surrounding tissue.
Get in touch with us today for a personalized rosacea treatment plan. Call 518.346.0002 to schedule an appointment at our Latham and Guilderland offices.