New Clues On Rosacea's Cause

(WebMD)  An unfortunate combination of two interactive proteins may be behind the familiar redness and irritation of the common skin disease rosacea.

Until now, many of the nearly 14 million Americans who suffer from rosacea could tell you what triggers make their condition worse, like spicy foods, heat, alcohol, or even embarrassment. But researchers say they didn't know what exactly caused rosacea.

A new study suggests that overproduction of two inflammatory proteins results in abnormally high levels of a third protein, which causes rosacea's symptoms, including visible blood vessels, bumps, or pimples.

"It's like having lots of gasoline ... and a match," says Richard L. Gallo, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the division of dermatology at the University of California, San Diego, in a news release. "A trifecta of unfortunate factors in people with rosacea."

Rosacea is more likely to occur in people with fairer skin. Facial redness and swelling are characteristic features, which can make it be confused with acne.

There is no cure, but treatments are used to help lessen signs of rosacea. These can include oral antibiotics and topical drugs.

In the study, published in Nature Medicine, researchers looked at why people with rosacea have elevated levels of small antimicrobial peptides (protein-building blocks) that are part of the body's natural defense system.

They looked at cathelicidin, which normally protects the skin against infection. People with rosacea had higher than normal levels of cathelicidin as well as another group of enzymes called stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTE).

Researchers found mice injected with these proteins developed increased inflammation in their skin, and these proteins reacted to the same triggers as rosacea.

"Too much SCTE and too much cathelicidin lead to the abnormal peptides that cause the symptoms of this disease," says Gallo. "Antibiotics tend to alleviate the symptoms of rosacea in patients because some of them work to inhibit these enzymes. Our findings may modify the therapeutic approach to treating rosacea, since bacteria aren't the right target."

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Living with rosacea? Find support and information on WebMD's Skin Care: Share Your Tips board

By Jennifer Warner
Reviewed by Louise Chang
©2007 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved

[almu75]

This looks like a great achievement. I hope one day the find the way to keep these proteins under control. In the meantime we will need to continue with the remedial processes we have been all been subjecting ourselves to such as creams, gels, antibiotics, food supplements, diet changes, IPL and trigger evasion.

I personally do a combination of food supplements, trigger evasion (cut down on alcohol consumption, spicy food, and cut down on skying :(

What worked for me was IPL, this type of <a rel='bookmark' href='http://www.pulselightclinic.co.uk'>rosacea treatment</a> works beautifully on people like me that have no time to make big dietary changes, so between the supplements, IPL(once a year), and evading some of my triggers I have been able to keep it under control for the past three years.

[Rose_Rosacea]

I found this comment very useful, even though it was posted in Dec 2009. I also use a combination of carefully selected food supplement and I am also very careful about triggers. I have replaced red wine with a cocktail drink made from distilled sugar cane juice, so maybe it was the red bit of the wine more than the alcohol. The comment also mentioned IPL treatment at www.pulselightclinic.co.uk and this information was very useful information as I was able to go to this site and then ask for a free consultation. I am very new to the CBSnews.com website and my first experience of it has been fantastically helpful. I am so glad I found this page. Thank you

[paulaqqq]

My skin went crazy?it felt like it was on fire. Raw and red and such pain!
I went to the dermatologist and he prescribed ?MetroLotion? and all it did was burn my skin even more.( This started when I was about 48 years old?other strange health problems were happening at the same time).
I started using the Made from Earth Rosehip & Hibiscus Face Serum also ? and my skin is under control. The hideous raw red skin flares occaisionally?I use it daily?

[paulaqqq]

I am in my 50's and have recently been diagnosed with Rosacea, which I believe was induced by the YEARS & YEARS of application of creams prescribed by my doctor for a mild condition of SebDerm! The doctor never told me that repeated use of steroid creams could INDUCE ROSACEA!!

On a number of occasions lately, as I searched the stores for a "cure" to whatever was going on with my face, I had seen reviews for the "Made from Earth Rosehip & Hibiscus Face Serum", but didn't believe it would work - because nothing else I had purchsed had worked so far....The redness and rash I was experiencing had gotten much worse over the last month. I needed relief, badly.

So I decided to buy the Made from Earth Rosehip Serum - it was cheap compared to other rosacea creams and I had nothing to use. WITHIN 2 MONTHS I WAS MUCH IMPROVED!! Honestly, my face even felt better!! The stinging has almost stopped except for the nose area, and the redness is almost 100% gone, as well as the overall "itchiness" from the latest flare.

Don't wait - go buy this BEFORE you see your doctor!! At least give it a try first; you have nothing but about $18 to lose! Hurry and get relief for yourself!!!

[paulaqqq]

I am 30 years old and have acne as well as rosacea. I have tried everything over the counter for both problems, and most recently the very expensive laser surgery. That laser surgery (Isolaz) did NOT work. Save your money. It cost me $700 for three treatments and my acne and rosacea were both worse.

I tried the Made from Earth Rosehip Face Serum and have been using it for 2 1/2 months. My acne has improved greatly. My rosacea is lighter and there are less "bumps" in my rosacea. My skin is not perfect by any means, but it is definitely 70% better than what is has been for the previous 10 years.

Also, it is a great moisturizer. This is good, because I used to use Clinique's Moisture Surge which is like $40 itself. So, it sort of kills two birds with one stone. I like it! Recommended for people tired of trying all the rosacea treatments with no success. Plus, you wont need an additional moisturizer.

[edavie-2009]

I would like to know how or where we get these proteins and is there something in our diet that can eliminate them?