Rosacea Review

Winter 2010

• FEATURE: Rosacea Now Estimated to Affect at Least 16 Million Americans
• FEATURE: New Study Identifies Cause of Flushing
• FEATURE: Excess Tissue Can Be Successfully Treated with a Variety of Options
• FEATURE: Heat Plays Role Even in Cold Winter Season
• Q & A: Answers to Readers' Questions
• READER SURVEY ON ROSACEA
• BRIEF: Using Moisturizer Can Aid Topical Therapy
• BRIEF: Reaction to Mites May Mimic Rosacea Signs
• SUCCESS STORY: She Thought Her Rosacea Was Just an Allergy

Reaction to Mites May Mimic Rosacea Signs

Some patients who have red scaly faces may in reality have an increased reaction to the Demodex mite rather than rosacea, according to Dr. Joseph Bikowski, clinical assistant professor of dermatology, Ohio State University.

Dr. Bikowski noted that he has treated more than 100 patients with this condition, which involved reaction to these microscopic mites that are normal inhabitants of human skin. In these cases, he reported that patients treated with a topical medication for Demodex cleared within two to four weeks and remained clear for one to two years.

"Individuals with red scaly skin may have rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or both, but another possibility is an increased reaction to Demodex," he said.