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Couperosis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

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Couperose is one of the pathologies that is caused by a disturbance in the microcirculatory bed, which develops as a result of an increase in the diameter of the vessels and an increase in the fragility of their walls. Clinical manifestations mainly affect the most sensitive areas of the skin.
Each person can determine the sensitivity threshold independently, since they know the reaction of the skin to the impact of environmental factors. It reacts very brightly to irritants with redness or even an inflammatory reaction.
This can be a temperature change, washing with a new product, and even touching. Clinical manifestations include itching, a tingling sensation, and burning. At first, there is uniform hyperemia on the forehead, nose, or cheeks, which can later become a good breeding ground for the development of rosacea.
Due to the thin skin, the blood vessels are located very superficially, so with increased fragility, small hemorrhages are very clearly visible, which ensures constant redness.
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Causes of rosacea
This type of pathology, like most other diseases, can have a genetic cause. However, in order to reduce the likelihood of developing rosacea, it is necessary to avoid exposure to certain provoking factors or at least reduce their negative impact.
The causes of rosacea are mainly due to circulatory problems in the area of skin, as well as increased fragility of the vascular wall.
The development of such changes is facilitated by hormonal imbalance in the body, which is observed with long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, replacement therapy, in the presence of endocrine system diseases or during periods of physiological restructuring, for example, menopause, pregnancy or adolescence.
The causes of rosacea also include environmental factors, bad habits and diet. Thus, the condition of the skin, which is highly sensitive, is especially affected by temperature changes and ultraviolet radiation.
In addition, a person who consumes large amounts of coffee, chocolate and spicy hot food is more susceptible to the development of rosacea. This also applies to excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and constant exposure to stress factors.
Symptoms of rosacea
Most often, people with light skin tones, especially women, suffer from rosacea. But it is worth noting that, despite the fact that women begin to suffer from rosacea earlier than men, the condition of their skin is still much better than that of men.
You can suspect the onset of the disease by paying attention to your skin. Noting that it reacts quite sensitively to various factors, you can try to protect yourself from the development of pathology. However, if a pronounced blush has appeared, the skin has become significantly drier and blood vessels are visually visible, you should contact a specialist for further diagnosis.
Symptoms of rosacea can be seen on the face, as this is where the skin is most sensitive. Thus, in the area of the nose, forehead, chin and cheeks, small hemorrhages formed as a result of a violation of the integrity of the vessel wall begin to be visualized.
The symptoms of rosacea, if left untreated, progress significantly and contribute to faster skin aging, which is not considered a very good consequence for women. This is due to the lack of nutrients supplied to these areas of the skin due to the fragility of the vessels that feed them.
As a result, the skin becomes pale with a grayish tint, against the background of which the blood vessel network is located.
Couperose on the face
Blood vessel pathology can affect all organs and systems, but in some cases small capillaries located very superficially are affected.
Couperose on the face is a fairly common manifestation of the disease. Its main symptoms are dilated capillaries, as a result of which they are visible through thin skin. Since the skin on the face is very sensitive, this is where vascular "stars" are most often observed.
The capillary pattern becomes clear over time and first acquires a pinkish tint, then blue. Concomitant clinical manifestations of rosacea include periodic itching, slight tingling and burning sensations.
Couperose on the face manifests itself to a greater extent due to the peculiarities of the skin, but the appearance of vascular disorders on the legs or back is not excluded. On the face, the disease causes not so much a threat to a person's life as aesthetic discomfort.
Over the years, the manifestations of rosacea become clearer and more widespread, which worsens the external picture. The disease cannot be cured on its own, so if such symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist.
Couperose skin
Disruption of peripheral circulation occurs as part of many diseases, which are based on changes in the tone of the vascular wall, as a result of which they cannot cope with their functions.
Couperose of the skin can occur as a separate nosological unit, but it is worth considering whether it is with couperose that the systemic damage of blood vessels begins. The development of couperose is based on the expansion of the capillary network, the localization of which is located directly under the skin.
Couperose of the skin manifests itself with clinical symptoms on the skin of the lower extremities, back, chest, but most often the pathology occurs on the skin of the face. This is due to its elasticity and small thickness, as a result of which the capillary network begins to be visualized, starting from the second stage of the disease.
At the stage of appearance of vascular "stars" the appearance suffers, as a result of which a person (usually a woman) begins to pack and close in on herself. However, do not be upset, because there are effective methods of combating the capillary network.
Couperose on the nose
Local blood circulation disorders can provoke the appearance of visible capillary network through thin and delicate skin of the face. The forehead, nose, cheeks and chin area, where the vascular network is located, suffers especially.
Couperose on the nose appears as a result of the loss of the vascular network's ability to contract adequately. The skin, reacting to temperature changes and other factors, often becomes hyperemic. This is due to the superficially located capillaries, which expand.
However, as the irritating factor acts, the vessels "get used to" it and begin to fight it, trying to narrow the lumen. Thus, with normal functioning of blood vessels, they narrow and restore the usual shade of the skin.
Couperose on the nose develops as a result of the loss of elasticity of the vascular wall, which disrupts the outflow of venous blood from the skin. Then there is a slowdown in local blood circulation in the epidermis, as a result - the venules are excessively dilated and provide a red tint to the skin.
Thus, insufficient nutrition of the skin is noted, which provokes the appearance of acne, and in the future, the formation of a cone-shaped nose is possible.
Couperose on the wings of the nose
The disease affects all small-caliber blood vessels, which is why it is almost impossible to find a separate localization. The lesion is mainly located on the skin of the face, in particular on the nose, forehead, cheeks and chin.
Couperose on the wings of the nose is often confused with the appearance of a small visible vascular wall, which formed as a result of trauma to blood vessels. Most often, this process can be observed with chronic rhinitis, when blood vessels in the area of the wings of the nose are damaged.
In order to make a differential diagnosis between the disease and its consequences, it is necessary to observe the spread of vascular “stars”.
So, if they are localized not only on the nose, but also affect the cheeks, forehead and other areas of the skin of the face and not only, then one should suspect rosacea on the wings of the nose. But in the case of a localized vascular network, measures should be taken to treat chronic rhinitis in order to prevent further traumatization of blood vessels.
Couperose on the cheeks
The onset of the disease is characterized by dryness and increased sensitivity of the skin of the face. Any touch, exposure to temperature or water when washing can provoke the appearance of persistent hyperemia of the face.
Couperose on the cheeks also begins with a tingling sensation, the appearance of slight itching and periodic burning. However, not all people suffer from dry skin the day before, but, on the contrary, complain of excessive secretion of sebaceous glands.
Further, rosacea on the cheeks is characterized by persistent reddening of the skin in the cheek area, the appearance of which is caused by excessive fragility of superficially located vessels.
Over time, the redness becomes the background for a clearly visible vascular network. It appears as a result of the loss of elasticity and tone of blood vessels, which is why they expand and are no longer able to fully contract. Most often, the pathology is observed in representatives of the female half of the population, especially those with a light skin tone.
Couperose in a child
In childhood, any pathology should be considered very carefully, because it is possible that it is a genetic pathology or the development of some serious disease. Couperose in a child manifests itself as in adults - the appearance of a visible vascular network. However, the so-called "stars" are not always a consequence of couperose.
In order to conduct differential diagnostics between rosacea and other vascular pathology, you should press on the visible grid with transparent glass or even a ruler. If after this the "star" disappears, then you should suspect rosacea in a child, but in the absence of color changes, it is necessary to consider the presence of another pathological condition.
Further examination of the baby should include a study of liver function, since the appearance of a vascular network is noted in liver disease.
One should not forget about hereditary information, which can cause a disruption of local blood circulation as a result of a decrease in the tone of the vascular wall.
It is also necessary to consider the option of a long stay of the baby in the open sunlight without protective creams, clothing and a hat. This is especially true for the time from 11:00 to 16:00 in the hot summer period.
Couperose during pregnancy
The disease has many factors that predispose it to its occurrence, one of which is hormonal disturbances in the quantitative and qualitative ratio of hormones in a woman’s body.
Couperose during pregnancy can develop due to changes in the composition of hormones due to physiological restructuring of the body for bearing a fetus. These changes have a direct effect on the vascular wall, as a result of which it partially loses tone and leads to excessive dilation of the vessels.
Couperose during pregnancy is localized mainly on the skin of the face, for example, on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. The development of the disease is based on stagnation in the capillary network, as a result of which they increase in diameter.
Further, with the passage of time and progression of the process, an increase in the load on the vascular wall and a complete loss of elasticity are observed. Thus, the skin acquires a hyperemic color, against the background of which dilated capillaries are located, forming vascular "stars".
Treatment in the first 12 weeks with medications or surgery is unacceptable, but after this period, during which the formation of the fetus's organs is observed, it is possible to use medications and other effective methods.
Stages of rosacea
Most pathologies have a staged process, rosacea is no exception. Thus, it is customary to divide into three stages, which are characterized by common clinical manifestations, such as itching, a tingling and burning sensation, as well as some specific ones.
The first stage of rosacea is characterized by periodic sensations of “hot flashes”, during which hyperemia of the skin of the face is observed without a specific reason.
Later, the redness gradually decreases in intensity and disappears on its own, leaving no traces. At this stage, the blood vessels still have normal elasticity for full contraction.
At the second stage of rosacea, a clearer visualization of the vascular pattern in the form of telangiectasias or, in other words, "stars" is already noted. Their development is based on the loss of the ability of the vascular wall to contract, as a result of which they become noticeable through thin skin. It is at this stage that women most often begin to seek medical help.
The third stage is characterized by chronic disorders of local blood circulation, due to which there is an insufficient supply of nutrients to the skin. In addition, the likelihood of developing inflammatory reactions in this area of the skin increases.
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Treatment of rosacea
The treatment tactics for the disease involve the use of not only medications and surgical methods, but also special care for the skin.
Treatment of rosacea includes cleansing the skin with subsequent moisturizing with creams. If the skin's water balance is not restored, it loses its elasticity and healthy appearance.
Special products are capable of forming a protective film on the surface of the skin, which protects it from the effects of environmental factors. In addition, it is recommended to use linoleic acid and vitamins E, C and K, which prevent increased fragility of blood vessels.
During the summer, it is essential to moisturize and protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the skin also needs care at night. This can be achieved by applying a soothing serum in the evening.
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Treatment of rosacea should not contain alcohol-containing tonics, which cause irritation and additional dryness of the skin. It is necessary to tone it with products based on chestnut, juniper and Ussuri hops.
As for peeling, you should use only mild exfoliating products, for example, using masks with white clay.
Diet for rosacea
Nutrition plays an important role in various diseases. Thanks to it, you can not only reduce the intensity of clinical manifestations of the pathology, but also get rid of it altogether.
The diet for rosacea is based on the use of vitamins, the content of which can be found in everyday food products. Thus, vitamin P is found in carrots, cereals, in particular, buckwheat, pepper (red) and asparagus, parsley.
Vitamin K helps reduce the permeability of the vascular wall, so your diet should be enriched with spinach. As for vitamin C, it activates blood circulation and strengthens blood vessels. It is found in onions, black currants, citrus fruits and sauerkraut.
The diet for rosacea also involves taking vitamin D in the form of dairy products or tablets. Omega 3 is found in fish products, especially fish oil.
It is advisable to try to steam or bake food, avoiding the frying process. In addition, do not forget about the water regime. To restore the water balance, you can drink green tea and still water.
You should drink about 1.5 liters of liquid per day, excluding black tea, carbonated drinks and coffee from your diet.
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Prevention of rosacea
In order to avoid the development of rosacea, you need to follow simple rules. It is recommended to review your lifestyle, nutrition, give up bad habits and take care of your skin.
Prevention of rosacea is aimed at increasing the tone of blood vessels, narrowing them and preventing the formation of vascular "stars". To do this, it is necessary to avoid the effect of direct sunlight on unprotected skin, especially during the period of its maximum activity from 11:00 to 16:00.
Prevention of rosacea also involves the use of special creams to resist cold, wind and other adverse factors.
A good vascular workout is sports, which will strengthen the walls and prevent excessive dilation of the vessels. As for bad habits, it is worth reducing or completely giving up alcohol and smoking, which negatively affects the walls of the vessels.
Also, do not forget about the correct diet, following a certain diet and drinking enough liquid per day. As for the skin, it needs regular care and support.
Prognosis for rosacea
This type of pathology is not a systemic disease and threatens human life. However, if vascular "stars" appear, it is still worth conducting additional studies to exclude liver pathology, systemic vascular damage and other diseases, the manifestations of which may be telangiectasias.
The prognosis for couperose is favorable, since the blood vessels are affected locally, without involving the rest of the bloodstream. Couperose is more of an aesthetic problem, especially for the female population.
They are the ones who start turning to specialists to remove visible vascular mesh and restore the previous appearance. This usually happens already at the second stage of rosacea.
If the pathological process is not stopped, deeper layers of the skin along with blood vessels may be damaged. As a result, the skin will not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, which may lead to premature appearance of wrinkles, flabbiness and an unhealthy complexion.
Is couperose a separate disease or a symptom of a concomitant pathology? To solve this issue in each case individually, it is necessary to contact specialists for a thorough examination and determination of treatment tactics. One thing is certain - couperose can be treated, so do not delay with it.