Senior Care in Spring Branch, TX – Symptoms and Treatment of Rosacea for Seniors
Rosacea is a skin condition that typically affects people aged 30 and over. It usually affects fair-skinned adults and women are more likely to get rosacea on the cheeks and chin, whereas men are more likely to have symptoms of rosacea in the nasal area. Rosacea can be irritating, especially for seniors, because their skin is thinner and more delicate. Knowing the symptoms of rosacea will help caregivers determine if their aging parent should seek medical care for the condition.
Causes and Risk Factors of Rosacea
Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, it is beneficial for those providing elderly care to understand to the risk factors in order to reduce the possibility of triggers. There are a number of triggers which may cause rosacea to flare up, including:
- Emotional factors, such as stress, fear, embarrassment and/or anxiety
- Changes in the weather, such as strong winds or a sudden change in the humidity
- Excessive sun exposure, especially when the skin is already sun damaged
- Excessive exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Spicy foods
It is common, especially in seniors to have flare-ups during the holidays, especially when there is a great deal of emotional stress, such as traveling or entertaining.
Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea
The symptoms of rosacea tend to come and go. For example, the skin may be clear for several weeks or even months, then suddenly erupt. It tends to evolve in stages and usually causes inflammation on the forehead, cheeks, chin and/or nose. Those providing senior care should be aware of the signs and symptoms of a rosacea flare-up, which may include:
- Blushing
- Facial flushing
- Burning sensation
- Small cysts
- Red bumps
- Skin redness
Treatment
As a family caregiver, you should contact your senior’s doctor if you notice a persistent facial blush or there are persistent red, dry and scaly blotches on your elderly loved one’s complexion. The doctor should also be called if there is constant redness on their cheeks that is not caused by a tendency to blush easily or sunburn. The type of treatment for rosacea is dependent on the symptoms, however, treatment may include:
- Antibiotics, such as a topical cream or gel. Prescription antibiotics taken by mouth are sometimes given if the symptoms are severe and improvement is not noticed with a topical cream.
- Azelaic acid, which is a topical gel applied to the affected area. The gel contains dicarboxylic acid which is used for inflammatory pimples associated with mild to moderate rosacea.
- Beta blockers and alpha antagonists, which have an effect on blood vessels, so they are used to help reduce the flushing.
- Estrogen, which is a female hormone, is sometimes used if rosacea is triggered by hot flashes of menopause.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent rosacea, however, the symptoms can often be reduced by recognizing the common triggers. As a caregiver, it is important to try and identify these triggers an elderly person in order to reduce the risk of a flare up. Those providing elderly care should encourage the senior to cleanse and moisturize their face with products that do not sting, burn or irritate the skin. The skin should be washed with mild soap and lukewarm water and patted dry with a soft towel. Caregivers should also encourage seniors to apply sunscreens and sun blockers regularly and liberally to protect their skin when out in the sun.
Resources:
www.rosacea.org
www.mayoclinic.org
If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of senior care in Spring Branch, TX, contact us at SYNERGY HomeCare. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call (281) 407-1200 for more information.
