Granulomatous Rosacea Diagnosis and Treatment

Granulomatous Rosacea is a rare and unusual variant of this embarrasing skin condition which 16 million Americans struggle with (and they’re only the ones officially diagnosed). Of those, only about one in ten will have granulomatous symptoms.

The medical profession have basically classified rosacea into four main types:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea – the flushed or spider vein look
2. Papulopustular Rosacea – the acne look
3. Phymatous Rosacea – bulbous nose look
4. Ocular Rosacea – red eye look

Granulomatous rosacea is a subtype of papulopustular rosacea, which is often called “acne rosacea” or similar, due to its acne-like symptoms. The way that is varies from acne rosacea is, that instead of pimples and pustules, you get hard bumps or nodules that form in clusters. While acne tends to be reddish in colour, these bumps are yellowish brown – and it is only the fact that they appear over the background of the typical rosacean red flushed symptoms that brings them into the rosacea family of skin conditions.

These little nodules include thickened skin and generally form a symmetrical pattern which forms around the eyes or nose, although it has been known to form on the chin and around the mouth. Granulomatous Rosacea is believed by some to form on the roots of infected hair follicles. If you’re looking at these symptoms in the mirror, then it is highly recommended that you seek medical advice early because this one is known to cause scarring.

Diagonosing Granulomatous Rosacea

Let’s define the word “granulomatous”. The word comes from “granuloma” which is a medical term meaning “a small area of inflammation tissue” which typically causes no signs or symptoms. It is a collection of immune cells known as histiocytes which attempt to provide a barrier for substances that the immune system considers to be foreign but can’t eliminate. Consequently, the term “granulomatous” can apply to any number of disorders and these include a variety of skin conditions including lupus and psoriasis. Consequently, it is very easy for physicians to mis-diagnose and often the only sure way is for a skin sample to be tested.

People with granulomatous rosacea are more likely to be those with immune system issues and are typically more sensitive to rosacea triggers such as bacteria, heat and chemical substances.

Treating Granulomatous Rosacea

Although this is a chronic skin condition, it can be treated. Depending on your views about healing methods, you can either choose natural remedies for rosacea or pharmaceutical options – either of which are best suited to Papulopustular Rosacea (acne rosacea).

Pharmaceutically speaking, good results have been observed using preparations containing isotretinoin, metronidazole, azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide, as well as prescribing antibiotics such as tetracycline or doxycycline. Another alternative is cordicosteroids. These can be taken orally or applied topically and have been found particularly effective for this quite unusual variant of rosacea.

If you’re taking a more wholistic approach then you should consider evaluating your overall health and looking for ways to improve it. You need to get your liver and digestive tract functioning efficiently and in balance because your skin condition is more often than not, a reflection of your insides. So we recommend you consult other pages on this site to do with detoxing your system and using essential oils to inhibit the growth of skin microbes and bacteria which are responsible for breakouts.