London: People, who suffer from the chronic skin condition rosacea, may soon find long-term relief from their symptoms, as researchers think they have finally pinpointed the cause behind it.
The condition causes facial flushing with the blood vessels just under the skin swelling to create a spider-like appearance on the face.
In severe cases skin lesions may form leading to disfigurement.
Although usually painless it can cause self-consciousness and embarrassment among those suffering from it.
Now, researchers from the National University of Ireland have found evidence that this redness could be triggered by bacteria living inside tiny mites that reside on our faces.
Scientists believe they have discovered a single-dose cure for all strains of malaria.
The species, called Demodex, has a worm like shape and usually lives harmlessly on our skin.
They eat facial oil known as sebum and are particularly attracted to hair follicles as well as the oily pores found on the nose, forehead and cheeks.
Review leader Kevin Kavanagh found people with rosacea have higher levels of the mite than those with normal skin. He discovered that the mites are unable to expel their own faeces so this is released onto the skin when they die and decompose.
According to scientists, the bacterium Bacillus oleronius appears to be triggering the immune reaction in rosacea sufferers, causing inflammation.
“Once the numbers of mites increase, so does the number of bacteria, making rosacea more likely to occur. Targeting these bacteria may be a useful way of treating and preventing this condition,” the Daily mail quoted Dr Kavanagh as saying.
“Alternatively we could look at controlling the population of Demodex mites in the face. Some pharmaceutical companies are already developing therapies to do this, which represents a novel way of preventing and reversing rosacea, which can be painful and embarrassing for many people,” he added.
ANI
