Causes of Rosacea

Causes of rosacea

The exact cause of rosacea is not known, but scientists believe it could be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The following are the possible causes of rosacea:

Alcoholism

People who drink a lot of alcohol will experience a reddening of the face (flushing) and an enlargement of the blood vessels in their face from this. If the blood vessels continue to enlarge often enough the effect of the reddened face and flushing symptoms can be permanent and result in rosacea.

Gastrointestinal disorders

A factor that may cause rosacea in some people is low gastric acid output (common to many gastrointestinal disorders), which can prevent appropriate digestion and this can cause rosacea symptoms.

Genetics

Some experts believe that rosacea may have a genetic component, so people who have parents and other close relatives with rosacea, they are more likely to develop this condition as well.

Local infection

An uncommon cause of rosacea is a local infection on the face which may cause an enlargement of the blood vessels and may initiate rosacea symptoms beyond the infection.

Menopausal flushing

Women who are menopausal have a much higher incidence of rosacea due to the hormonal changes which occur at this time especially due to the hot flushes that many women experience during this time.

Severe seborrhoea

Experts believe that most people with severe rosacea have moderate to severe seborrhoea, where there is an excessive flow of sebum in the face, which causes the symptoms associated with rosacea.

Vitamin B deficiency

A severe lack of the B vitamins is associated with abnormal sebum production (it becomes excessive and causes seborrhoea) which can cause rosacea symptoms.

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Last reviewed: 14 October 2007 || Last updated: 5 February 2009

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