What to do if your nose turns red

The nose is one of the main ways our body breathes. Although our mouth can also be used for breathing, it is a good choice to breathe through the nose because our nasal cavity is rich in tiny hairs that can block suspended matter in the air. Due to some special reasons, our nose will turn red, which not only affects the appearance but also affects breathing. So what should we do if our nose turns red?

The main cause of red nose is rosacea.

Rosacea, also known as rosacea, is mainly chronic skin damage outside the nose. The lesions are symmetrically distributed and can be seen on the nose, cheeks, between the eyebrows, chin, nose tip and nose wings. Acne, skin congestion, and an uneven surface appear like wine dregs attached, hence the name. This disease is more common in middle-aged people, among which there are more male patients and the condition is more serious.

It is currently believed that rosacea is mainly related to infection with hair follicle mites. In addition, a recent study conducted by the National Rosacea Association showed that the main triggers of rosacea also include: sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather, wind, physical exercise, alcohol, hot baths, cold weather, spicy food, humidity, indoor heat, skin care products and hot drinks.

Dietary issues that rosacea patients should pay attention to

The first thing to know is that rosacea cannot be cured, but it can be controlled through treatment. A key point in treatment is to try to avoid the symptoms that induce rosacea. Patients can also help a lot by improving their diet and daily life. The main aspects include the following:

Eat a light diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid irritating foods and drinks, and correct constipation.

Sun exposure should be minimized by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and using sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.

Contact with irritants should be avoided, and soap-free cleansers should be used, and astringents and abrasives should be avoided.

A rosacea trigger diary should be kept for 2 weeks to record possible precipitants or exacerbations of the condition so that these triggers can be identified and avoided in the future.

Topical treatments for rosacea

Mild rosacea can be controlled with topical medications alone. For slightly more complicated cases, oral and topical medications can be used simultaneously at the beginning. After the condition improves, patients can often stop taking oral medications and use topical medications alone. Oral medications may be resumed for occasional flare-ups.

Metronidazole (Metronidazole)

Metronidazole is the topical agent most commonly studied for the treatment of rosacea and is currently available in creams, gels, and lotions.

Metronidazole is an isopyrazole with antibacterial activity. The exact mechanism by which the drug can improve rosacea symptoms is still unclear, but it may be related to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. It is also effective in treating papules and pustules and can reduce intertriginous erythema. However, it generally has no anti-telangiectatic effect. The use of metronidazole is well tolerated by patients because it is easy to use and has mild side effects. Just over 2% of patients reported stinging, dryness, itching, and burning sensations after use.