Rosacea Treatment

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) defines rosacea (pronounced rose-AY-sha) as a common skin disease that “often begins with a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people.” This facial redness can last longer than your embarrassment, and while it usually begins in the nose and cheeks, it may spread to the chin and forehead--and even to ears, backs, and chests.

Rosacea symptoms can appear differently in various people, coming and going and fluctuating in intensity. According to MedlinePlus, the four subtypes of this condition are:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, which causes warmth (flushing), redness, and clusters of visible blood vessels
• Papulopustular rosacea, which causes swelling, redness, and acne-like bumps with pus
• Phymatous rosacea, in which the facial skin thickens and develops a bumpy texture. Over time, when untreated, the nose can become enlarged and bulbous.
• Ocular rosacea, which causes eye irritation, inflammation, and redness. The eyelids can swell, and patients may develop bumps that look like styes. The condition can also cause dryness and affect vision.
• Many rosacea sufferers experience stinging, itching, and burning in the areas impacted by their condition.

Anyone can potentially get rosacea, but according to MedlinePlus your odds increase if you:

• Sunburn easily
• Have blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes
• Have Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry
• Have a family history of rosacea
• Are between 30 and 50 years old
• Have a history of severe acne
• Smoke

Also, while women are more likely to get rosacea than men, men are more likely to develop severe rosacea.

Although researchers have not yet discovered what causes rosacea, they have found clues, such as the fact that rosacea runs in families, noted MedlinePlus. This suggests that rosacea may be genetic, or at least have a genetic component.

Other theories about rosacea causes according to MedlinePlus involve:

• Intestinal bugs: H pylori, which can cause infections in the immune system, is common among rosacea patients, although not present in all.
• The immune system: When individuals with acne-type rosacea encounter the bacillus oleronius bacteria, most experience an overreaction of the immune system, though it is unknown if the reaction can cause the condition.
• Protein: Some researchers are studying cathelicidin, a protein meant to protect skin from infection. In individuals who process the protein differently, cathelicidin causes swelling and redness.
• Mites: Demodex is a type of mite that lives on everyone’s skin, preferring our nose and cheeks. Studies have found that people with rosacea have mites on their skin — although so do many people without rosacea.

What are the signs and symptoms of rosacea?

The Mayo Clinic lists rosacea symptoms and signs as:

• Facial flushing or blushing that is most intense in the center of your face. Most visually noticeable on pale skin tones.
• A hot, burning sensation in the skin of the affected area. May also feel tender.
• Swollen bumps on the face and nose pimples that resemble acne. These may contain pus.
• Small, broken blood vessels of the cheeks and nose become visible on the skin (spider veins).
• Over time, rosacea can cause the skin of the nose to become thick and bumpy so that it appears bulbous (rhinophyma). This is observed more frequently in men than women.
• Dry, irritated, and swollen eyes and eyelids. For some, eye irritation may occur before skin symptoms.

If you suspect you have rosacea, you should see a dermatologist. While there are no medical tests for the condition, a dermatologist will examine your skin and ask questions about your symptoms. Other conditions can resemble rosacea, such as lupus and allergic dermatitis, so your doctor will perform lab tests to rule those out before making a rosacea diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with rosacea, your dermatologist will advise you on rosacea treatment and management. Although there isn’t a cure, there are treatments for rosacea that can improve rosacea symptoms, ease discomfort, and minimize or possibly eliminate symptoms.

Johns Hopkins Medicine lists the most common kinds of rosacea treatment as:

• Prescription creams or lotions
• Topical and oral antibiotics
• Dermabrasion
• Laser therapy
• Glycolic acid peels
• Electrosurgery

Some people will also need to avoid foods that dilate blood vessels in the skin, such as spicy food, alcohol, and caffeine.

How do I cover rosacea with makeup?

The National Rosacea Society offers a wide range of helpful makeup tips for people with rosacea:

1. Start with a clean, moisturized face, and always treat your skin gently to avoid irritation.
2. Try to minimize the number of products and ingredients you apply to your skin so that irritation is less likely. It’s also a good idea to test out new products in a less noticeable area before applying them to your face.
3. Use a green-tinted base or primer to cancel out red tones. Find one with sun protection to shield skin from UVA/UVB rays, which can aggravate rosacea.
4. Use oil-free foundation and concealer and apply them with antibacterial brushes instead of a sponge or your fingers to minimize irritation. Clean brushes between uses.
5. Mineral powder makeup may be a good choice for you, as it can provide good coverage without irritation.
6. If you have moderate to severe rosacea, you may want to try cover-corrective makeup.
7. Use gentle, allergy- and ophthalmologist-tested eye makeup designed for sensitive eyes. Avoid long wear and waterproof products that require lots of scrubbing or strong cleansers to remove.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, rosacea prevention may be possible for you, but it will likely take some trial and error to decide what works best for your skin. Keeping a diary of what you eat, drink, the medications you take, your stress level, the weather, and other factors and how your skin is throughout can help you figure out what your rosacea triggers are.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists the following as common rosacea triggers:

• Direct or indirect heat, such as hot baths or saunas
• Certain foods, especially spicy foods
• Menopause
• Harsh skincare products
• Exercise or sweating
• Severe weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures, strong winds, and the hottest days of summer
• Stress or anxiety
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, some prevention methods seem to work well for most people with rosacea:

• Wear sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection in SPF 15 or higher
• Adhere to all instructions for medications prescribed by your doctor.
• Minimize stress if possible
• Avoid extremes of temperature

Rosacea is widely studied and researched in dermatology, and rosacea treatment can be very effective, but there is no cure. This chronic condition, which the American Acne & Rosacea Society reports impacts 14 million people in the United States, is characterized by intermittent flare-ups.

With help from your dermatologist, you can create a treatment plan that manages your rosacea so it minimizes the effect it has on your life. Prescription oral and topical medications, dermatological procedures, and lifestyle changes to avoid triggers can prevent rosacea from getting worse while reducing or eliminating symptoms and visible signs.