When you suffer from the chronic skin condition, rosacea, you may assume that the issue is just skin deep. However, while rosacea is a condition that causes redness, bumps, and irritation of the skin on the face and body, it can also contribute to the development of other health conditions. Get to know more about some of the links between rosacea and other health conditions so that you can be sure that you are taking the best possible care of your skin and your overall health moving forward.

Rosacea and Multiple Sclerosis

Women who suffer from rosacea may be at an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, according to recent research and studies. In fact, according to the study, female patients who were diagnosed with rosacea had a 150 percent higher chance of developing multiple sclerosis than women who did not suffer from rosacea.

This link is thought to have to do with the ways in which a person's genes express themselves when they suffer from these conditions. The same genetic markers or abnormalities occur in many female patients with rosacea as well as multiple sclerosis patients. While this link seems to have to do with genetics, the cause of the conditions and their link is largely unknown.

However, if you are a woman with rosacea, you will want to pay close attention if you begin experiencing pain behind your eyes, extreme fatigue, tingling in your extremities, or tremors and shakiness as these are all signs of multiple sclerosis. The earlier multiple sclerosis is diagnosed, the more treatment options you will have to slow the disease's progress and keep yourself healthy for a prolonged period of time.

Rosacea and Dementia

Another recent study has shown that patients with rosacea may also be at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia in their lifetime. In this study, researchers found that patients who are diagnosed with rosacea have a 25 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's than a person who does not suffer from rosacea. The risk of developing other forms of dementia is seven percent higher in rosacea patients.

It is still unknown why rosacea seems to increase a person's risk of developing dementia. Having rosacea does not guarantee that a person will develop Alzheimer's or dementia, and patients with rosacea can take the same dementia prevention steps that other people take to stay mentally sharp and healthy. These can include eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising frequently, and keeping the mind active by learning new concepts, languages, or even playing word or number games.

Now that you know more about some of the rosacea-related health complications that can occur, you can better take care of your overall health as well as treat and control your rosacea symptoms. Along with seeing your dermatologist, schedule regular visits with your primary care physician to raise questions or concerns about any early warning signs for multiple sclerosis or dementia.