Rosacea: pathogenesis, clinical forms and therapy

Abstract

Rosacea is one of the most common chronic dermatological diseases. It is characterized by transient or persistent facial erythema, teleangiectasias, papules and pustules, usually on the central portion of the face. Rosacea can be classified into four main subtypes: erythemato-teleangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular. These subtypes require different therapeutic approaches. Regarding to the pathomechanism, several hypotheses have been documented in the literature, including genetic and environmental factors, vascular abnormalities, dermal matrix degeneration, microorganisms such as Demodex folliculorum and Helicobacter pylori, but the cause of rosacea is still not known. Authors in this article review current literature on new classification system of rosacea, as well as the main pathogenetic theories and current therapeutic options.