Rosacea

Plastic surgery

Rosacea is a chronic facial dermatosis characterized by mid-face redness and telangiectasias with the intermittent occurrence of papules and pustules. It typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 50, and is slightly more common in women; however, the more serious forms, in partcular rhinophyma, are more frequent in men. The disease starts by an initial appearance of transient redness over the nose and cheeks, more rarely on the forehead and chin. With time, the skin infiltration and connective tissue hyperplasia may result in a bulbous thickening of the nose called rhinophyma. The course of the disease is chronic. Rosacea may be accompanied by eye disorders such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and keratitis. The treatment consists of avoiding all external and internal factors which may result in facial congestion, along with taking antibiotics and azelaic acid. Systemic therapy includes antibiotics and isotretinoin. Telangiectasias may be removed by electrocoagulation, and rhinophyma is managed surgically by dermabrasion or laser.