The world is so familiar to us. We are so wise; we can create genuine things; we outrun the time… Scientific discoveries became a commonplace; achievements of the modern science amaze. However, it only looks like this at first, superficial glance. When we look deeper into the matter, the things appear to be quite different.
We know who we are, being not quite sure where we came from; we can discover things, still being unable to explain their nature; we can always observe the world around us, but it is often too hard for us to change it for better.
The things are pretty the same in the field of medicine: many questions, many theories, many possible answers, but they are not always right and simple. Take rosacea, for example: we know how this disease develops and manifests itself, we can reduce its symptoms, we are aware of what can trigger rosacea; however, it is a complete enigma for us why this disorder occurs.
Taking into account statistical data reporting that 30-40% of rosacea sufferers have a relative with this condition, heredity is supposed to be one of the most possible causes for the disease development.
Genetic predisposition is another assumed reason. In this case a person can develop a condition even without having a family history of the disease.
Some scientists claim that a disorder when the blood vessels dilate too easily can cause rosacea outbreak. Such dilation of the vessels results in flushing, blushing, and facial redness. This theory has many advocates, because research confirms that many rosacea sufferers are really predisposed to blushing.
Certain circumstances can cause vessels to dilate, thus resulting in flushing. Here belong heat, sunlight, wind, exercising, emotional stress, hot drinks and alcohol consumption.
The activity and proliferation of Demodex folliculorum mites, which are always present on the skin, are also supposed to be the origin of the disease. The reason for such statement is data of some studies, which show that rosacea patients have greater amounts of these mites than people who do not suffer from this skin condition.
The main reason of rosacea development on the opinion of another cohort of scientists is bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes infection of the gastrointestinal tract; however, this item requires further research.
The theory that identifies ultraviolet (UV) rays as the main cause of rosacea is supported by a great number of scientists. UV rays affect skin tissues, lymphatic and blood vessels contributing to passive vasodilation. Affected in this way skin is considered to be a perfect environment for rosacea development.
Vasodilation may also be caused by certain drugs, like ACE-inhibitors or cholesterol lowering medications, as some scientists suggest.
Perhaps, the latest studies aimed at uncovering rosacea causes tend to conclude that the immune system of a patient works on provoking this disease by producing certain peptides (cathelicidins) called to defend skin from multiple bacteria. However, cathelicidins cause skin redness, swelling, and inflammation, leading to rosacea development.
Some other, minor and hardly possible causes of rosacea exist besides those mentioned above; however, they all lack proven facts and reliable data, thus requiring further research.
In the long run, the words of the famous wise man “The more I know, the more I don’t know” appear to be the greatest truth in this world. Let us hope we have enough time and wisdom to look for and find the answers for the questions vital for the human kind existence.
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