Prevalance of Rosacea

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 14 million Americans have rosacea. The condition is more common in women than in men. But men are more likely to develop severe symptoms. It’s more common in people with fair skin who blush easily, blonde hair and blue eyes. Signs typically first appear between 20 and 50. In some cases, the symptoms can cause extreme embarrassment, low self-esteem and loss of self-confidence.
The exact cause of rosacea isn’t known. Some experts theorize the symptoms are caused by inflammation related to the presence of a skin mite, called Demodex folliculorum (not the same as the common dust mite found in bedding). This tiny, transparent mite is found on nearly everyone’s skin. Stanford University Dermatologic Surgeon, Hayes Gladstone, M.D., says, in some people, the fecal matter deposited on the skin by the mites causes irritation that leads to chronic inflammation, redness, and other symptoms associated with rosacea. Other experts believe rosacea may be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (the bacterium associated with peptic ulcer disease).
Rosacea symptoms are often aggravated after a person has been exposed to certain triggers (like foods, emotions, weather or irritants). A survey by the National Rosacea Society found some of the most common triggers to be: sunlight (reported by 81 percent of patients), emotional stress (79 percent), hot weather (75 percent), wind (57 percent), heavy exercise (56 percent), alcohol consumption (52 percent) and hot baths (51 percent). Some other common triggers include hot and spicy foods or drinks, chocolate and use of certain cosmetics.