How Is Rosacea Treated?

Rosacea is a type of skin condition that can present with symptoms like redness, acne-like breakouts on the face, and pustules. There's no cure for rosacea, but a dermatologist can work with you to ease discomfort and prevent it from worsening.

What is the best treatment for rosacea? The most effective treatment includes rosacea medication that you apply to your skin. Other treatments for mild rosacea include avoiding triggers and using proper skincare. Read on to learn more about rosacea treatment options.

Avoiding Triggers

You may need to avoid triggers to prevent rosacea flares. There are many potential triggers, including:

• Alcohol (e.g., red wine)
• Certain medications
• Certain skin and hair care products
• Exercise
• Heat or sunlight
  
• Some types of makeup
• Spicy foods
• Stress
• Wind and cold

Making a note of your triggers can help you learn what worsens your rosacea. You can alter your habits to avoid these triggers if possible. Time your other treatments to reduce a trigger's impact when it's not feasible to avoid them.

Sun Protection

Sunlight can be a trigger for rosacea, so you'll want to ensure you protect your skin from the sun. The best way to protect against the sun is to apply a gentle sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends reapplying every two hours if you are outdoors for long periods and after swimming or sweating.

You'll also want to wear a wide-brimmed hat when you are outside. Other protective actions include staying out of the sun in the middle of the day and seeking shade when possible.

Skin Care

Using gentle, non-irritating skin products can ease symptoms. Steer clear of strong fragrances, scrubs, toners, and astringents. Look for mild cleansers and moisturizers specifically formulated for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

Medications

Different types of topical and oral medications may offer relief from rosacea. These include prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Topical Medications

Non-invasive treatments may be used first in different types of rosacea. One option is metronidazole, which comes in a gel or a cream. Metronidazole is helpful for redness and rosacea acne. Other topical treatments include ivermectin, clindamycin, and minocycline.

Oxymetazoline (a cream or gel) and brimonidine (a gel) constrict blood vessels and decrease blood flow in people with severe redness. Both reduce redness for about 12 hours.

A dermatologist may recommend twice-daily applications of a gel, foam, or cream containing azelaic acid if you have pustular rosacea. Azelaic acid treats rosacea by reducing inflammation.

Oral Medications

Antibiotics may sometimes be necessary for rosacea. A healthcare provider may prescribe a course of drugs, such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin.

Taking antibiotics at high doses for long periods can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance. This occurs when illnesses become unresponsive to these antibiotics. You might soon switch to a lower dose of doxycycline, which acts more as an anti-inflammatory than an antibiotic.

Laser and Light Therapies

Other treatments for rosacea can be administered in a dermatologist's office. One popular treatment for rosacea is a vascular laser. Heat and energy from the laser's beam target a compound called hemoglobin in your blood vessels to reduce redness.

Treatments using other forms of focused light can also reduce skin discoloration. This includes intense pulsed light, which works by similar mechanisms. Laser or light therapy can also temporarily reduce the thickening of the skin. Repeated treatments are often necessary.

Eye Care

An ophthalmologist visit may be necessary if you have rosacea symptoms in your eyes. Treatment can include prescription eye drops and oral antibiotics in these cases. Laser treatments may also open blocked glands in your eyes.

You can take steps to ease discomfort and irritation in the meantime. Steroid eye drops or artificial tears can reduce eye redness. You can also gently scrub your eyelids with a washcloth and a mixture of baby shampoo and warm water.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option if you have thickened skin from rosacea. Rhinophyma, for example, may occur as a result of increased growth (hyperplasia) or sebaceous (oil) glands. This skin condition causes the nose to become bulbous, bumpy, and red. Rhinophyma is most common in men. Procedures treat rosacea by removing excess skin and reshaping the parts of your face affected by the thick skin.

It may be necessary to take isotretinoin, an acne medication, after surgery. Isotretinoin helps the results last longer. The medication can have severe side effects, such as miscarriage in pregnant people, dry skin or mouth, and thinning hair.

Living With and Managing Rosacea

The outlook for having rosacea is generally good. Rosacea is not curable, but it's also not life-threatening and has many treatments you can try to get symptom relief.

If untreated, rosacea may result in scars and skin redness. You may also experience depression, anxiety, or self-consciousness with the skin condition.

A Quick Review

There are many ways to treat rosacea, from skincare regimens and trigger avoidance to light or laser therapy and medications. It might be time to talk to a dermatologist if you have tried some of these treatments on your own and are not seeing results. They can work with you to figure out a personalized treatment plan.