Rosacea, the Skin Disease That Causes a Red Nose: Expert Advice
Each month, our skin health series addresses common concerns and provides expert insights to help you understand and manage various skin conditions. This month, we turn our attention to rosacea, often referred to as “strawberry nose.” We spoke to dermatologist Dr. Mi-hye Lee from the Color Dermatology Clinic to learn more about this condition.
What Exactly is Rosacea?
Rosacea, also known as strawberry nose, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by redness and vasodilation primarily in the central area of the face, including the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. It can cause significant skin disfigurement, so seeking appropriate treatment is vital.
Does Alcohol Contribute to Rosacea?
While some believe that drinking alcohol triggers rosacea, the exact cause of the condition is still unknown. It is thought to be associated with abnormalities in the control of blood vessels in response to heat and various stimuli. Several factors, such as endocrine dysregulation, alcohol consumption, caffeine, and H. pylori infection, have been suggested to contribute to rosacea. Additionally, 30-40% of rosacea patients have a family history of the disease.
Who is Affected by Rosacea?
Rosacea primarily affects individuals in their 30s to 50s, and although it occurs more frequently in women, severe symptoms tend to be more common in men. The condition manifests as erythema and vasodilation in the central part of the face, including the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. In some cases, phymatous rosacea can cause the appearance of a strawberry-like nose, but it can also affect other facial areas such as the forehead, chin, cheeks, and ears.
Types and Characteristics of Rosacea
There are four main types of rosacea, each with distinct symptoms:
- Erythrotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR): This type presents mainly with vasodilation, resulting in red and flushed skin. It is often accompanied by sensations of heat, tightness, itching, and pain, and various triggers, such as consuming alcohol, eating spicy foods, exposure to heat, or exercising, can worsen the symptoms.
- Papulopustular rosacea (PPR): Characterized by the presence of nodules and pustules, PPR resembles generalized rosacea but exhibits papules and pustules (pus-filled bumps) with red-white lump-like rashes.
- Phymatous rosacea: This form of rosacea can lead to the appearance of a strawberry nose. It causes the enlargement of facial cells and can occur not only on the nose but also on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and ears.
- Ocular rosacea: This less common variant affects the eyes and presents symptoms such as watery, red, and itchy eyes. It often involves blepharitis and may be accompanied by conjunctivitis or keratitis.
Distinguishing Rosacea from Acne and Dermatitis
Rosacea can sometimes be mistaken for acne or dermatitis due to common symptoms such as redness, vasodilation, and the presence of pustules. However, the absence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) usually seen in acne can help differentiate it from rosacea. In the case of dermatitis, questioning the presence of contact substances that cause irritation or allergy, the acute course of the condition, and specific patterns of symptoms, such as itching, can aid in distinguishing it from rosacea. Unlike contact dermatitis, which has an acute or subacute course, rosacea tends to have a chronic course.
Potential Complications of Untreated Rosacea
Untreated rosacea can lead to disfigurement of the skin and has been associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown elevated levels of certain substances, such as MMP and AMP, in individuals with rosacea, suggesting a potential link to these neurodegenerative conditions. Therefore, early intervention and long-term management are crucial to prevent worsening symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A clinical diagnosis of rosacea is usually based on typical physical examination findings and identifying characteristic lesions. Treatment options include prescription medications like oral antibiotics, oral tretinoin, and topical metronidazole. Additionally, various laser treatments, such as vascular laser for vasodilation or flushing, LED phototherapy, and CO2 laser for nose changes, can be used according to the specific skin condition.
Daily Care Tips for Strawberry Nose
Here are some tips to incorporate into your daily routine to help manage strawberry nose:
- Manage inflammation by avoiding triggers that worsen facial flushing and burning sensations.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes and direct thermal stimulation, such as spending prolonged periods in saunas.
- Maintain the skin barrier function by regularly applying moisturizer to reduce irritation.
- Use sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid excessive or prolonged use of steroid creams.
- Reduce alcohol consumption and manage stress levels.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of rosacea or have concerns about your skin health, consult with a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Director: Dr. Mi-hye Lee from the Color Dermatology Clinic
Help: HiDoc Consultant, Dr. Mi-hye Lee from the Color Dermatology Clinic
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In this series, we share skin health concerns that change every month. We provide clear answers and helpful tips for monthly skin diseases that everyone is curious about, with experts from the Color Dermatology Clinic.
There are people who are particularly stressed because their noses are red. It is commonly known as ‘strawberry nose’, but the official medical name is ‘jusa (酒齄)’. It occurs when capillaries expand, and side effects such as skin disfigurement can occur, so appropriate treatment must be received after treatment. Dermatologist Lee Mi-hye (Riwon Dermatology Clinic) was asked what strawberry nose is, its causes and treatments.
Strawberry Nose Source: Getty Image Bank
Q. What type of disease is rosacea, also known as strawberry nose?
Strawberry nose, or rosacea, is a type of disease called rosacea, the main symptom of which is a red nose. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease whose main symptoms are erythema and vasodilation of the central area of the face, mainly the nose and cheeks, as well as the forehead and chin.
Q. When I drink alcohol, my nose usually turns red Is drinking related to strawberry nose?
Rosacea is believed to be a disease associated with abnormalities in the control of blood vessels in response to heat and various stimuli. Because of the name rosacea, some people think it is a disease caused by drinking alcohol, but the exact cause of rosacea is not known So far, a correlation has been suggested between endocrine dysregulation, drinking, caffeine, and H.pylori infection, and it is known that 30-40% of rosacea patients have a family history.
Q. Is strawberry only found on the nose? I’m curious what age group it occurs in most.
The main symptoms of rosacea are erythema and vasodilation of the central part of the face, mainly the nose and cheeks, as well as the forehead and chin. Phymatous rosacea, which causes strawberry nose symptoms, enlarges the cells of the face. It occurs mainly on the nose, but it can also occur on the forehead, chin, cheeks, and ears. The main age of onset for rosacea is in the 30s to 50s, and although it is a disease that occurs more often in women, it is known that severe symptoms like rosacea are more common in men.
C. Explain the types and characteristics of rosacea.
There are four types of rosacea, each with different symptoms. The most common form is erythrotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR), which presents mainly with vasodilation. The skin of the face appears red and flushed, accompanied by heat, tightness, itching and pain. It can be aggravated by drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, being in hot places, or exercising.
Papulopustular rosacea (PPR) is accompanied by nodules and pustules. It is similar to generalized rosacea, but is characterized by papules and the formation of pustules (puses) with red-white, lump-like rashes.
Phymatous rosacea causes strawberry nose symptoms. A less common form of rosacea is ocular rosacea, which causes ocular symptoms. It is characterized by watery eyes and red, itchy eyes. The most common ocular symptom is blepharitis, which may accompany conjunctivitis or keratitis.
Q. Rosacea disease is sometimes confused with acne and dermatitis. What are the typical symptoms that can distinguish it from these diseases?
Rosacea can show redness, vasodilation, and pustules, so it can be confused with acne or contact dermatitis. In the case of rosacea, the absence of the comedones seen in acne is useful in distinguishing it, and it is distinguished from contact dermatitis by questioning the presence or absence of contact substances that cause irritation or allergy, the acute course, and a pattern of symptoms such as itching. Unlike contact dermatitis, which has an acute or subacute course, rosacea is characterized by a chronic course.
Q. I heard that if rosacea continues for a long time, skin disfigurement and dementia can occur. What is the reason?
Rosacea is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disease, and associations with other diseases have been reported. Among them, a correlation with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has been reported. An increase in substances such as MMP and AMP is seen in rosacea, and it is believed that there may be a correlation as these substances are also linked to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The sooner you can treat rosacea, the better. Because rosacea has a chronic course, symptoms such as flushing, vasculitis, and a burning sensation can gradually worsen, making it a disease that requires long-term management.
Q. What tests are used to diagnose rosacea and how is it treated?
Rosacea disease is diagnosed clinically by clinical symptoms and physical examination of characteristic lesions. Treatment includes prescribing prescription medications such as oral antibiotics, oral tretinoin, and topical metronidazole, as well as various laser equipment suitable for the skin condition, such as vascular laser for vasculitis or flushing, LED phototherapy, and Co2 laser for changes in the skin condition. nose..
※ TIP Honey. How to take care of strawberry nose in daily life ※
1. Block inflammation that worsens facial flushing and burning sensation
2. Avoid severe temperature changes and direct thermal stimulation to the facial area, such as taking a sauna for a long time.
3. To prevent skin barrier function, apply moisturizer regularly to reduce skin irritation.
4. Be sure to apply sunscreen when going out and avoid long-term use of steroid cream.
5. Reduce drinking and stress
Director Lee Mi-hyeㅣSource: Leewon Dermatology Clinic
Help = HiDoc Consultant Lee Mi-hye (Lewon Dermatology Dermatologist)
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