Rosacea affects people in different ways, with some experiencing mild redness of the face and others being afflicted with thick bumps on the skin, a misshapen nose or eye problems caused by rosacea of the eyes. Treatment for the disease depends on the severity and type of symptoms.
Types
Rosacea in its most basic form involves redness of the face, which can occur as intermittent flushing or as chronic redness. As rosacea develops, other symptoms appear, such as pustules, papules, thickened skin and small red lines. Some people develop other, more severe versions of rosacea, such as rhinophyma, characterized by the development of a large, bulbous nose, and ocular rosacea, which causes burning, itching and dryness in the eyes.
Medications
Antibiotics are the most common treatment for rosacea. They can be applied topically or taken in pill form. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin and doxycycline are the antibiotics most often used for treating rosacea. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline, or steroid eye drops, are used to treat rosacea of the eye. Topical medications such as retinoid or azelaic acid are used for the mild stages of the disease. The oral medication isotretinoin, normally prescribed for cystic acne, may be used if other treatments are ineffective.
Surgical Treatments
Electrocautery, the burning away of tiny blood vessels with an electric current, may be used to treat rosacea. Laser treatments are another option to reduce redness and shrink blood vessels. These two methods are generally not used for simple rosacea of the face but are reserved for situations in which the veins under the skin have become prominent or the sebaceous glands in the nose have swelled to cause rhinophyma.
Timing
Treatment for rosacea usually does not take effect immediately. If topical medications and antibiotics are used, the patient may not see the effects for several months. Electrocautery and laser treatment require more than one session, but noticeable effects may show up after a few sessions and are typically long-lasting. Treating rosacea in the early stages may prevent it from progressing to rhinophyma, ocular rosacea or more severe cases of facial rosacea. Symptoms generally return if treatment is stopped.
Treating Psychological Symptoms
Because many people who have rosacea become self-conscious about their appearance and some even become severely depressed, psychological treatment is potentially of help. A certified therapist or counselor familiar with the disease may be able to help suggest ways of coping with rosacea. Support groups and the development of a personal support system are other ways to help individuals suffering from rosacea deal with the changes in appearance the disease brings.
