The term "rosacea," comes from the Latin word for "little roses." Aptly named because of the clusters of raised redness that scatter across the face, rosacea has distinctive features. First, it mimics acne, but according to the Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, no relation exists between the two conditions. A distinguishing aspect of rosacea is its hyper-reactivity to heat. In the presence of heat, the face flushes, and eventually the tiny blood vessels in the skin become permanently dilated, a condition called "telangiectasia." This means blood remains in the vessels, giving a red hue to the skin.
Prescription Oral Antibiotics
One form of treatment, oral antibiotics, works systemically, killing the bacteria in the skin pores. According to the International Rosacea Foundation, oral antibiotics decrease inflammation and reduce the number of pimples on the face. They also reduce rhinophyma, the areas of thick bumps that often appear on the nose. Erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline work best. Side effects of these medicines may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, photosensitivity, allergic reaction and vaginal yeast infection.
Prescription Topical Antibiotics
Applied directly to the skin, topical antibiotics kill bacteria on the skin but not in the pores. Typically, treatment begins with oral drugs and then when those get tapered off, the topical version take over. Oral antibiotics, when given for long periods, offer the bacteria a chance to mutate and become resistant. For this reason, dermatologists curtail their use and switch to the topical version. Examples of topical antibiotics include erythromycin, metronidazole, clindamycin and sodium sulfacetamide lotion. Side effects vary but include irritation, burning, allergic reaction, diarrhea and swelling.
Non-prescription Treatments
Many commercial, topical ointments, gels and lotions have entered the market. Available over the counter and on the Web, these products have some effectiveness, but often they do not perform as well as their prescription counterparts. Having a lower potency, as well as less powerful ingredients, these non-prescription topical drugs cannot address severe or advanced rosacea. The most popular brands include Rosacea-LTD III, Afirm 3X, Cellex -- C, Betaplex, Dramatic Relief, azelaic acid and Proactiv solution. These active ingredients -- colloidal silver, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid -- also come under many brand names.
Other Treatments
Laser treatments should only be administered by a dermatologist skilled in the technique. Effective, though costly, the treatments take a number of office visits to complete. The International Rosacea Foundation states that steroid creams, chemical peels and retinoids do not treat rosacea. These products worsen the symptoms. Consider listed side effects for any rosacea treatment before starting treatment. Immediately report any allergic reaction to your dermatologist. The signs to look for are hives, itchiness, swelling anywhere on the body, light-headedness or difficulty swallowing.
References
- "Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology"; Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, M.D., Ph.D.; 1997
- International Rosacea Foundation: Oral and Topical Rosacea Treatments; 2010
