Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that causes inflammation, often on the face alone. Common symptoms include red patches of skin, noticeable blood vessels, flushing and reddish bumps similar to acne. The condition may also affect the back, chest, ears, neck and scalp, and approximately half of rosacea patients have ocular rosacea which affects the eyes. Although rosacea is incurable, treatment can manage the symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. Always consult your doctor before trying a new rosacea treatment.
Oral Treatments
Physicians sometimes prescribe antibiotics to treat bumps, flushing, observable blood vessels, pus-filled lesions called pustules and redness related to rosacea. The antibiotics include azithromycin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline. Oral antibiotic medications often produce results quicker than topical treatments, and doctors prescribe them primarily to reduce inflammation rather than kill bacteria, according to the MayoClinic.com.
Another effective oral ingredient is doxycycline in 40 mg dosages, which does not function as an antibiotic because the amount is too low to kill bacteria. When other treatments fail to work, doctors may also prescribe the cystic acne medication isotretinoin to reduce oily skin and related problems like bumps. Patients taking isotretinoin require careful medical supervision, however, due to the potentially severe side effects.
Topical Treatments
Topical ingredients that help improve symptoms of rosacea include retinoid, sulfacetamide, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur lotions, and antibiotics such as clindamycin and metronidazole. The products generally take several months to begin working, and they may produce mild side effects ranging from burning or stinging to itchy or peeling skin. Research indicates topical treatments can help control bumps, pustules and redness as well as oral treatments, reports the AAD. The organization also recommends applying a non-irritating barrier-repair emollient and sunscreen after medication to further combat symptoms.
Eye Treatments
People with ocular rosacea must keep the area around their eyes clean by washing it often during the day with mild cleansing ingredients such as diluted shampoo or specially formulated non-prescription cleansers. Treatment may also include an oral antibiotic, over-the-counter eye drops and prescription eye drops possibly containing steroids. Such medications are frequently effective, according to the AAD, but may produce dry or gritty-feeling eyes.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Gentle Skin Care Helps Control Rosacea
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rosacea Treatment - Bumps and Pus-Filled Lesions
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rosacea Treatment - Eye Problems
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rosacea Treatment - Redness, Flushing, and Visible Blood Vessels
- American Academy of Dermatology: What Is Rosacea?
