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Rosacea is a skin condition that effects an estimated 14 million Americans. The symptoms and severity thereof vary from person to person, but most people with rosacea experience unexplained redness or blemishes on their facial skin. To learn more about how to treat rosacea, familiarize yourself with the information provided in this guide.
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Dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo explains steps you can take to treat rosacea and keep the condition from worsening. The most important thing, Ciraldo explains, is to always wear sunscreen. She says a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more is best. Ciraldo also recommends getting a good acne product and avoiding certain rosacea food triggers like red wine and spicy foods.
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Introduction
- Many of those afflicted with rosacea do not even realize that they have it. The condition tends to affect more women than men and those with fairer skin usually develop more severe and noticeable symptoms. If you notice one or more of the following symptoms, you may have rosacea:
- Swollen facial skin that feels warm to the touch
- Dilated blood vessels that appear as small red lines on the face
- Unexplained and persistent flushing of the facial skin
- Acne-like blemishes or pimples on the face
- Overly sensitive facial skin
- Persistent eye irritation
- Irregularities in skin texture, particularly the skin on the nose
Step 1: See a Doctor
- If you think you have rosacea, your first step should be to visit a doctor or dermatologist to have the condition properly diagnosed. Since rosacea can get worse if left untreated, visit a medical professional as soon as possible after you start displaying symptoms of rosacea. Since there are different types of rosacea, your doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate form of treatment for you.
Step 2: Eliminate Triggers
- For some rosacea sufferers, their symptoms may be triggered by specific events or conditions, including:
- Exposure to sunlight, wind or cold weather
- Stress
- Drinking hot beverages
- Eating spicy foods
- Consuming alcoholic beverages
- If you have been recently diagnosed with rosacea, keep a journal of when your symptoms manifest. Go back and figure out what occurred directly before you started showing symptoms. This will help you identify possible triggers, which you can then try to eliminate.
Step 3: Medical Treatments
- Unfortunately, there is no cure for rosacea, but several treatments have proven effective at reducing symptoms in some sufferers. Depending on the type of rosacea you are diagnosed with and the severity of your symptoms, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments. Always be sure to follow the provided instructions when using any sort of medical treatment. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, be sure to mention it to your doctor, as some of the treatments for rosacea should not be used by pregnant women.
- Topical treatments: Medicated creams, ointments, or anti-bacterial washes, including those that contain metronidazole, clindamycin, erythromycin, azelaic acid and tretinoin
- Oral antibiotics, including metronidazole, erythromycin, minocycline and isotretinoin
- For severe cases that don't respond to other treatments, doctors may prescribe Accutane
Conclusion
- For those afflicted with severe rosacea, the condition may cause them embarrassment, anxiety, and even lead to depression. If you think you have rosacea, be sure to visit your doctor and discuss any and all concerns you have related to the condition. He or she will then be able to prescribe or recommend the best type of treatment for you.
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