Rosacea and Couperose-prone skin – Identifying symptoms and finding treatments

When hypersensitive skin's unpleasant sensations are accompanied by redness, facial skin can become Couperose-prone or, more seriously, develop a condition called Rosacea. Although these two conditions are often confused and have similar treatments, the symptoms do differ.

Rosacea is a chronic, episodic and progressive inflammatory disorder that affects up to 10% of the adult population. As it sits within the hypersensitive skin 'family', sufferers describe initial unpleasant facial sensations such as stinging and burning - subjective feelings that are associated with hypersensitivity.

Rosacea sufferers typically experience flushing and show signs of diffuse redness of the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead which is temporary at first, but as the condition progresses this redness can become permanent. Couperosis, blemishes and pustules may also appear, and occasionally the ocular area is also affected leading to bloodshot or swollen eyes, styes and conjunctivitis.

In the most serious cases of Rosacea, skin can thicken and excess tissue can form. This usually affects the nose and is known as Rhinophyma. Rhinophyma makes the nose look large and bulbous and can give people the mistaken impression that sufferers are alcoholics. This can affect sufferers psychologically as well as physically.

The papules and pustules that appear are similar in appearance to those in acne-prone skin, and in fact Rosacea used to be called Acne Rosacea, but the two conditions differ. In Rosacea there are no blocked pores, the skin is more likely to be dry than greasy and Rosacea spots don't leave scars.

Couperose-prone skin (also known as Couperosa) is also a hypersensitive skin condition so it too includes unpleasant sensations such as stinging and burning and is typified by redness, dryness and sensitivity. The redness is a result of dilated blood vessels which, due to the skin's weakened elasticity, expand when there is a rush of blood to the skin but do not contract afterwards as would happen in normal skin.

Couperose-prone skin can come and go in its early stages but, as it progresses to more advanced stages the redness can become permanently visible on the skin.

Red skin from hypersensitivity differs from everyday blushing as it lasts considerably longer (hours, days or even months) and the redness may not improve until the skin is treated.

Read more about redness-prone skin.
Read more about hypersensitivity in general.

If you suspect you have Rosacea seek the advice of a doctor or dermatologist as early treatment can reduce the chances of the condition progressing.

The exact cause of Rosacea is unknown, however, experts have identified a number of factors that connect sufferers. For example, the prevalence of Rosacea is highest among fair-skinned individuals, particularly those of Celtic and northern European descent.

The onset of the disorder usually begins between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Females are affected more than males but women are more likely to experience symptoms on the cheeks and chin. When it does affect males, they are more likely to progress to the end stages of severe Rosacea when rhinophyma may occur.

Rosacea is a progressive skin condition that usually begins with the subjective sensations associated with hypersensitive skin such as stinging and burning. At first flushing (when the skin turns red) can be temporary but, as the condition progresses, this redness can become permanent. Bumps and pimples may appear and, in some cases, eyes may become bloodshot. In more severe cases, rhinophyma will appear, eyes may become swollen and the complexion more inflamed.

Like Rosacea, Couperose-prone skin can be caused by a number of factors including age, genetics and diet.

Read more about ethnic skin.
Read more about redness-prone facial skin.

Like Roscea, Couperose-prone skin is influenced by a number of factors including age, genetics and diet, and both conditions are made worse by certain triggers, which can vary from person to person. Avoiding triggers is the best way to minimise symptoms, and the most common include:

• Environmental factors such exposure to hot and cold temperatures, wind, sun, humidity and pollution (including cigarette smoke) as well as pollen and car emissions.
• Psychological factors such as anger or stress. Stress hormones such as adrenaline trigger inflammatory processes in skin.
• External factors such as certain fragrances, detergents and topical medicines (including cortisone creams) as well as hot baths, strenuous exercise, alcohol and spicy foods. Clothing can also have a detrimental effect courtesy of skin-irritating dyes and chemicals impregnated into clothing, as well as synthetic and non-iron materials containing chemicals such as formaldehyde, which can trigger skin irritation and allergies.
• Mechanical factors such as pressure or abrasion on the skin.

Avoiding known triggers is the best way to minimise the symptoms of both Couperose-prone skin and Rosacea.

It may take some time to identify which particular factors are most troublesome for you so it can be a good idea to keep a diary of exposure to all endogenous and exogenous factors and any subsequent reactions.

The psychological impact of having such a visible skin condition can also cause sufferers to flush or blush out of embarrassment, anxiety or depression which may exacerbate the problem. It can be helpful, therefore, to use a concealing cream to cover redness and reduce further psychological damage.

Read more about Eucerin AntiREDNESS Concealing DayCare SPF 25.
Read more about Eucerin AntiREDNESS Soothing Care.

There is no single treatment that can guarantee to cure Rosacea or Couperose-prone skin altogether but hypersensitivity can be calmed and the skin barrier improved with special, active skin care.

In developing its Hypersensitive Skin ranges, Eucerin has addressed all three features of the Hypersensitive Skin Triangle.

Firstly, hypersensitive skin is characterised by a compromised skin barrier which makes underlying layers more prone to irritations. To minimise the chance of intolerance, and improve the skin's elasticity, Eucerin UltraSENSITIVE and Eucerin AntiREDNESS products provide effective moisturisation to counteract the skin barrier's increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Each product is a 'pure' formula so it only contains a limited number of ingredients and uses anti-contamination packaging which is fully sealed to minimise the risk of any airborne bacteria reaching the formula.

The second part of the Triangle is the hyper-reactive sensory fibres in the epidermis. Eucerin is the first medical skincare brand to use an active ingredient called SymSitive* in its hypersensitive skincare ranges. SymSitive* effectively acts as a sensitivity regulator directly at the source of hyper-reactivity, calming sensitivity instantly. What's more, used regularly, Eucerin Hypersensitive skin products make skin more resistant to internal and external stress.

Finally, the third symptom of hypersensitive skin is redness. Eucerin uses a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient called Licochalcone A in its AntiREDNESS Soothing Care and AntiREDNESS Concealing Day Care SPF 25 to quickly calm skin sensitivity and visibly reduce redness.

In addition Eucerin AntiREDNESS Concealing Day Care SPF 25 contains green concealing pigments that instantly cover redness for an even-toned complexion.

* =reg.tm of Symrise AG, Germany