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Rosacea - Ruddy Beginnings

  • Definition: Chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting central facial skin (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead).
  • Age of Onset: Typically 30-50 years.
  • Gender Predilection: Females > Males; however, males often develop more severe manifestations like rhinophyma.
  • Key Risk Factors:
    • Fair skin types (e.g., Celtic ancestry)
    • Positive family history
    • Chronic UV radiation exposure
    • Demodex folliculorum mite infestation
    • H. pylori infection (role remains debated) Four subtypes of rosacea

⭐ Rhinophyma, characterized by a thickened, bulbous, and erythematous nose, is a subtype of rosacea predominantly seen in older men.

Rosacea - The Why Behind

  • Neurovascular Dysregulation:
    • TRP channels (TRPV1, TRPA1) on nerves/endothelium.
    • Causes flushing, persistent erythema, telangiectasias.
  • Innate Immune Activation:
    • ↑ Cathelicidin LL-37 (abnormally processed).
    • TLR2 activation by various triggers.
  • Microbial Factors:
    • Demodex folliculorum mites (↑ density).
    • Bacillus oleronius (Demodex-associated).
  • Mast Cell Activation:
    • Releases key inflammatory mediators (histamine, proteases).
  • Chronic Inflammation:
    • Common pathway driving persistent skin changes. Factors in Rosacea Pathogenesis

⭐ Aberrant cathelicidin LL-37 (↑ levels, altered peptides) is a pivotal driver of inflammation and vascular effects in rosacea.

Rosacea - Faces of Redness

Rosacea: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the centrofacial skin, characterized by remissions and exacerbations. Common triggers include heat, sunlight, spicy foods, and alcohol.

Rosacea Subtypes and Characteristics

Four Main Subtypes:

SubtypeKey Features
Erythematotelangiectatic (ETR)Flushing, persistent central facial erythema, and telangiectasias are hallmark features.
Papulopustular (PPR)Presents with transient papules and pustules on a background of central facial erythema.
PhymatousLeads to skin thickening and irregular surface nodularities, most notably rhinophyma (nose).
OcularManifests with symptoms like foreign body sensation, burning, stinging, dryness, blepharitis, and conjunctivitis.
-   Granulomatous rosacea: Characterized by monomorphic yellow-brown or reddish papules/nodules, often periorificial.

⭐ Ocular involvement occurs in up to 50-75% of rosacea patients and can sometimes precede skin changes.

Rosacea - Nailing the Diagnosis

Diagnosis is clinical, based on characteristic findings.

  • Key Diagnostic Features (≥1 needed):
    • Persistent centrofacial erythema
    • Phymatous changes (e.g., rhinophyma)
  • Major Features (≥2 needed if key features absent):
    • Papules/pustules
    • Flushing
    • Telangiectasias
    • Ocular manifestations
  • Secondary Features: Burning/stinging, edema, dry appearance.
  • Differential Diagnosis:
    • Acne vulgaris (comedones present)
    • Seborrheic dermatitis (greasy scales)
    • Lupus (malar rash, spares nasolabial folds, ANA+)
    • Perioral dermatitis

⭐ Rosacea is distinguished from acne vulgaris by the absence of comedones.

Rosacea - Calming the Crimson

  • General Measures: Avoid triggers (sun, heat, alcohol, spicy food); gentle skincare; broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF ≥30).
  • Topical: Metronidazole, Azelaic acid, Ivermectin, Brimonidine (erythema), Sulfacetamide-sulfur.
  • Systemic:
    • Oral antibiotics: Doxycycline (40mg MR or 100mg), Minocycline.
    • Severe/refractory: Oral Isotretinoin.
  • Physical: Laser/IPL (telangiectasias, persistent erythema); Surgical debulking (rhinophyma).
  • Ocular: Lid hygiene, artificial tears, topical/oral antibiotics.

⭐ Doxycycline at a 40mg modified-release dose provides anti-inflammatory action for rosacea, below antimicrobial thresholds.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Characterized by chronic facial erythema, telangiectasias, papules/pustules; crucially, no comedones.
  • Main subtypes: Erythematotelangiectatic (ETR), Papulopustular (PPR), Phymatous (e.g., rhinophyma), and Ocular.
  • Rhinophyma, a phymatous change of the nose, is more common in men.
  • Ocular rosacea presents with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, potentially keratitis.
  • Common triggers: sunlight, heat, alcohol, spicy food, stress.
  • First-line treatments: Topical metronidazole, azelaic acid, ivermectin; oral tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline).

Practice Questions: Rosacea

Test your understanding with these related questions

A patient presents with eye pain, redness, and blurred vision after sleeping in contact lenses. Fluorescein staining reveals a corneal ulcer. What is the most appropriate management?

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Flashcards: Rosacea

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What is the difference between drug-induced acneiform eruptions and acne vulgaris?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the difference between drug-induced acneiform eruptions and acne vulgaris?_____

Monomorphic in drug induced

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