Bacteria from Mites Responsible For Rosacea

One of the common dermatological conditions Rosacea that causes reddening and inflations of the skin mostly around the cheeks nose and skin is noticed among 3 percent of the population mostly the fair skinned females aged 30 to 50.

A new study carried out by the researchers at the National University of Ireland pins the blame on the bacteria that dwell within the tiny skin mites for the skin condition rosacea.

The review of the new study is published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology which helps in developing more effective treatment for the victims of rosacea.

"Previously, people had no real idea what caused the condition," says researcher Kevin Kavanagh, PhD, a biologist at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in Kildare, Ireland as quoted by
WebMD.

The researcher traced the presence of Demodex folliculorum that dwells inside the pilosebaceous unit which surrounds hair follicles of the face. They are claimed to be the normal inhabitants of the face which multiply with increase of age.

The researchers believe that factors such as immune dysfunction, environmental factors and vascular problems could trigger to condition.

According to the study the number of Demodex residing on the skin of a rosacea patient is double when compared to the skin of normal healthy person.

"The bacteria live in the digestive tracts of Demodex mites found on the face, in a mutually beneficial relationship. When the mites die, the bacteria are released and leak into surrounding skin tissues -- triggering tissue degradation and inflammation," said Dr Kavanagh.

"This research is provocative in that it is proposing a cause for rosacea which up to this point has been unknown," said Dr. Chris Adigun, an instructor in the department of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City as quoted by U.S News.

According to the Huffington Post, "The Mayo Clinic reported that right now, doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat rosacea, but more because they work as an anti-inflammatory than for their anti-bacterial purpose."

Kavanagh said, "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."