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Researchers Find New Clues To Rosacea's Cause

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Jul 24, 2008 5:21 pm US/Eastern

Researchers Find New Clues To Rosacea's Cause

(KDKA) Rosacea is a skin disorder that affects millions of Americans.

It shows up as redness in the face and acne-like pimples.

Until recently, the cause of rosacea was unknown but researchers have found clues to learn what sparks the disorder.

Hiedi Nunnally is dedicated to her workouts.

But dedication to her job led to an important discovery. 

"I noticed little bumps on my chin and I thought it was from using the telephone at work," said Nunnally.  "So, I started using little antiseptic wipes to clean it and they never went away."

Hiedi is one of the millions who have rosacea.

For most, the first sign is a constant blush.

"The flushing leads to, sometimes, small pimples on the cheeks and nose and the development of blood vessels that grow in the skin and can stay permanently," said Dermatologist Richard Gallo.

The cause of rosacea been a mystery.

But Doctor Gallo says out-of balance skin chemicals, called anti-microbial peptides, are actually the culprits. 

"In the rosacea patients, we just saw this incredibly, hundreds of times more of these peptides than you would normally expect in most other patients," said Dr, Gallo. 

These anti-microbial peptides reside on the surface of the skin and alert the immune system to trouble.

"So they are the first signal for your body to say, All right, let's bring some white blood cells in there. Let's grow some extra blood vessels,'" said Dr. Gallo. 

For Rosacea patients, this exaggerated response causes tell-tale symptoms.

The research also helps explain why some patients benefit from antibiotics.

"And what we found is that the tetracycline antibiotics, by accident turns out, they inhibit those enzymes," said Dr. Gallo.

To manage her skin, Hiedi uses an oral antibiotic, as well as topical creams.

"I don't miss a day; I don't skip a day," says Nunnally.

And she'll stick with her routine until this research translates into new treatments.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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