Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that can appear in the skin in many different forms. Most cases of Rosacea causes redness on the nose and cheeks. The redness can slowly spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin.
There are 4 main types of rosacea:
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels.
Papulopustular rosacea: Redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts.
Phymatous rosacea: Skin thickens and has a bumpy texture.
Ocular rosacea: Dry eyes; red and irritated eyes, swollen eyelids
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: Facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels
- Flushing and redness in the center of the face
- Visible broken blood vessels (spider veins)
- Swollen skin
- Sensitive skin
Papulopustular rosacea: Acne-like breakouts
- Acne-like breakouts,Oily skin
- Sensitive skin
- Facial redness
Phymatous rosacea: Thickening skin
- Bumpy texture to the skin
- Skin thickening on the nose (most common), chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
- Enlarged pores
- Oily skin
Ocular rosacea: Dry eyes; red and irritated eyes, swollen eyelids
- Watery or bloodshot appearance
- Feel gritty, often feels like sand in the eyes
- Eyes burn or sting
How do dermatologists treat rosacea?
The treatment of Rosacea requires both education on prevention and prescription medications. The first step of treatment is to find the particular triggers that cause rosacea to flare. Common triggers for rosacea include hot or cold environments, consuming alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods. Strict sun protection is also helpful to prevent rosacea symptom flares. Strict sun protection includes applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher every day, avoid the midday sun and wearing sun-protective clothing and sunglasses.
There are several medications that are helpful in treating rosacea. The most common topical medications include metronidazole, azelaic acid, sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur. For moderate to severe rosacea, low dose antibiotics are often prescribed to reduce the signs and symptoms.
Newer medications have been developed to specifically reduce the redness in rosacea. These prescription medications reduce the redness on the face by temporarily shrinking the dilated, prominent blood vessels that lead to redness.
Laser or light therapies can also be effective in treating the redness and acne-like breakouts. Though not usually covered by medical insurance, these treatments are helpful in improving rosacea.
At Prism Dermatology, the M22 Universal IPL is used to significantly reduce the redness and acne-like breakouts found in rosacea.
