People with this common skin disorder more likely to get Alzheimer’s
According to a new study published in medical journal Annals of Neurology, if you suffer from the common inflammatory skin condition rosacea, you may have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, conducted by Dutch researchers, analysed the medical records of around 5.5 million people and discovered a significant link between rosacea and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Those with the skin condition (which causes redness in sufferers) were found to be 7 per cent more likely to develop dementia and, worryingly, 25 per cent more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without the disorder.
It is believed that people who suffer rosacea possess an excess of inflammation and antimicrobial peptides, which although are essential to the body’s immune system, have also been linked to dementia, Alzheimer’s and even Parkinson’s disease.
Thankfully, it seems that treating rosacea might actually prevent sufferers increasing their risk of developing dementia, as certain antibiotics are thought to suppress beta-amyloid and the tau protein, both of which are believed to be a factor in the development of Alzheimer’s.
The research team behind the study hopes the results will prompt more people to treat their rosacea. It is also recommended that doctors look out for any signs of cognitive dysfunction in conjunction with the skin condition.
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