Are Rosacea and Psoriasis Related?

Skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema can be physically uncomfortable. Both conditions involve inflammation and redness of the skin, yet they manifest differently and have distinct causes. Understanding their similarities and differences is crucial for anyone with these chronic skin issues. But they also come with a high mental toll when they’re difficult to hide. Fortunately, there are ways to live with these conditions. Still, you must understand the difference between rosacea and psoriasis to ensure you follow the proper regimen and that your skin is as healthy as possible.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which the skin overproduces cells. Instead of the skin-production process taking weeks or even months, it takes just days. It often manifests as plaques or lesions covered with silvery scales, particularly in plaque psoriasis. 

Psoriasis symptoms may include rashes, itchiness, and even joint pain, especially in cases of psoriatic arthritis. The immune system plays a significant role in the development of psoriasis, and family history is a known risk factor.  Those people with super-producing skin develop dry, red patches with the telltale silver “scales.” They may itch and are not much fun to look at, either. Those with psoriasis might also have crumbling or pitted nails. Occasionally, this condition can cause small red spots or painful pus-filled bumps. If you have psoriasis, you may develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

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Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that often affects the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. It typically presents as persistent redness, flushing, and sometimes pimples. In severe cases, it can lead to rhinophyma, a thickening of the skin on the nose. Factors like diet, alcoholic drinks, and even allergies can trigger flare-ups. People with rosacea often experience irritation and a burning sensation on their eyelids and other facial areas. While rosacea also causes red skin, veins may become more visibly pronounced. While many people only experience changes in their skin’s appearance, some with rosacea sometimes experience small red bumps on their skin.

Rosacea can sometimes be confused with acne for this reason. For those with more advanced cases of rosacea, their skin may thicken, pores may enlarge, and skin may become oily. In the most extreme cases of rosacea, you may experience dry eyes that feel gritty and sensitive to light—or even develop cysts.

How Are Rosacea and Psoriasis Related?

These skin conditions can worsen your life, and neither can be cured completely. However, there are some treatment options to consider toward the end of this article. These conditions can come and go through your life. There are also genetic components of rosacea and psoriasis. However, psoriasis is an immune condition, while rosacea may result from bacterial or protein imbalances, mites on the skin, or an intestinal bug. Rosacea is not a type of psoriasis.

• Psoriasis and rosacea tend to become more intense or flare up in response to certain triggers. So, reducing exposure to triggers can increase the frequency and intensity of flare-ups. However, these triggers differ for each skin condition. The most common psoriasis triggers are alcohol, cigarettes, stress, medication, skin wounds and trauma, and infections. Cold weather can also be a factor. While stress, freezing temperatures, and alcohol can also trigger rosacea, sunlight, wind, hairspray, heat, exercise, cosmetics, and spicy foods are unique to the rosacea condition.

• Unfortunately, people with rosacea may notice that each flareup lasts slightly longer than the previous one, making treatment more difficult. Rosacea is also most common in women, especially those going through menopause. This means you may have developed rosacea as you’ve gotten older, even if your skin wasn’t sensitive in the past.
• Another difference between rosacea and psoriasis is the parts of the body most affected. Rosacea most often appears on the face and chest, while psoriasis is more common on the knees, elbows, genitals, scalp, and trunk. The pus-filled bumps caused by psoriasis tend to appear on the palms and soles, not the face or chest. Depending on where the flareups most often occur, hiding your psoriasis beneath clothing may be easier than hiding rosacea.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Proper diagnosis is crucial for both conditions, as they can sometimes be mistaken for one another or other skin problems like dermatitis or guttate psoriasis. A dermatologist can provide a clear diagnosis and tailor a treatment plan based on the severity of the condition. For rosacea, this might involve creams, medications, or even lifestyle changes, while for psoriasis, treatment could include topical therapies, phototherapy, or systemic treatments.

How To Sooth Psoriasis and Rosacea?

Because psoriasis and rosacea have different causes, the conditions require different treatments (aside from reducing and coping with stress and limiting alcohol). Those suffering from extreme conditions can talk to their doctors about medication, including those with slightly lower immune responses, to relieve or even prevent flare-ups altogether. Light therapy may also improve both conditions. However, not everyone experiences intense or frequent psoriasis or rosacea flare-ups.

• • With psoriasis, the focus is often on exfoliating to remove the excess skin cells. Physical exfoliating is one option while toning products such as Summer Laboratories’ Keralyt 5 Gel or Keralyt 5 Cream rely on salicylic acid as a chemical exfoliant to remove this skin buildup.

• For rosacea, developing a skincare regimen for sensitive skin can help. These products have fewer irritating ingredients and include soothing ingredients like aloe or witch hazel. Some products also contain antibacterial ingredients to minimize bad bacteria or probiotics to promote good bacteria on your skin. In addition, products designed to decrease pore size and oiliness may help your skin’s appearance if you have rosacea. 

• Protecting skin from the elements using sunblock, moisturizer, and protective clothing such as a hat or scarf can also reduce the likelihood of a flareup.
• When a flare-up does happen, it’s important to soothe the skin. A cool mist or cooling eye mask can help. However, if blood vessels burst, they need time to heal. Even though there’s a difference between rosacea and psoriasis regarding symptoms, preventing flare-ups of either condition is better than trying to calm a flare-up after it happens.

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If you’re looking for relief from psoriasis, Summer Laboratories sells multiple products containing salicylic acid that help with this skin condition. Our products for oily skin may also help if you have rosacea. Check them out today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both Rosacea and Psoriasis at the same time?

Yes, it is possible to have both Rosacea and Psoriasis simultaneously, though they are separate conditions. Each condition will need its treatment approach.

How are Rosacea and Psoriasis diagnosed?

Both conditions are diagnosed through a clinical examination by a dermatologist. A skin biopsy may be conducted for Psoriasis to confirm the diagnosis, but Rosacea is usually diagnosed based on the visible symptoms and patient history.

Does Rosacea increase the risk of developing Psoriasis, or vice versa?

No strong evidence suggests that having Rosacea increases the risk of developing Psoriasis or vice versa. They are distinct conditions with different underlying mechanisms.

Conclusion

Both rosacea and psoriasis are chronic skin conditions that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. While they share some similarities, such as inflammation and redness, their cause, symptoms, and treatment differences are significant. Understanding these distinctions is vital for effective management and care. If you suspect you might have either condition, consult a doctor or dermatologist for a thorough diagnosis and personalized advice. With the right care, managing the symptoms and improving your skin’s quality is entirely possible. For more detailed information, consider visiting a specialized skin care center or exploring the site map of reputable dermatology websites to learn more about these and other skin diseases.