One of out every five diagnosis made by dermatologists is for rosacea, making it a very common skin disorder. However, despite being a widespread problem, it is uncommon for people to be aware of this disease, or have knowledge of how to recognize its symptoms and how to properly treat it.

What are the symptoms of Rosacea?

A reddening of the skin, also known as erythema, is the primary symptom of the skin disorder.

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Rosacea Symptons

What causes Rosacea? Who is mostly effected by it?

Although it is believed that nearly 50 million people have rosacea, there is no single cause that researchers are aware of at this time that causes this skin disease.

Current medical theory states that, although not the only or main cause, many people are genetically predisposed to getting rosacea. This is noted by evidence that individuals suffering from rosacea tend to find it widespread in the family tree.

Other interesting data shows that it mainly effects white people (note though that all skin types are susceptible) who descended from the North and West of Europe. While it effects both men and women, it is nearly three times as common in women. Ironically, men tend to suffer more severe damage from rosacea, possibly simply (and only) due to a delay in seeking skin treatment, as compared to women.

People of all ages, including teenagers, can develop it but women ages 30-50 are mostly effected.

Other theories on the causes of rosacea state that it is a blood vessel disorder (causing the blood vessels to swell, which in turn causes a reddening of the skin) or a problem with the gland openings of the skin being clogged with skin mites called Demodex Folliculorum.

Contributing or related factors include digestive disorders, a deficient of Vitamin B, migraine headaches, other skin disorders, and even eye disorders.

Rosacea Treatment

There is no straight cure for Rosacea; treatment is typically a lifelong affair, and it can take 1-2 years of treatment for the condition to come under control. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available.

What prescription treatments for Rosacea are available?

There are now a number of prescription medications prescribed to treat Rosacea. It is common for medicine to be prescribed for a variety of disorders i.e. some of these medications are typically prescribed for acne problems alone (Noritate, BenzaClin, Psorcon, etc).

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Rosacea Prescription Treatments

What about laser treatments for Rosacea?

Laser treatment is now an option for reducing or eliminating the redness of the skin caused by Rosacea.

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Rosacea Laser Treatment

What sort of natural treatments are there for Rosacea?

There are “natural” treatments for Rosacea, although they might not have the scientific evidence or testing available to back them up.

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Natural Treatments for Rosacea (coming soon)

There are a number of prescription and non-prescription drugs available to patients to treat Rosacea.

Typically, after an initial consultation, the first “round” of drugs used as treatment include topical antiobiotics and oral tetracycline antiobitics. (Teteracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and metronidazole, respectively.)

Note: A “topical antibiotic” means an antibiotic that is applied directly to the skin via a cream, lotion, powder, or spray. An oral tetracycline antibiotic, on the other hand, is swallowed via a capsule.

These two medications are intended to treat a bit of the redness, but most inflammation, pustules, and papules on the skin.

Sometimes acne medicine is used as a cross treatment rosacea – for instance, isotretinoin, a strong acne medicine, can be prescribed (in low dosages) as an effective treatment, more specifically for phymatous and papulopustular rosacea.

Here is a list of some medications used to treat Rosacea:

ZenMed - According to the website, ZenMed consists of..” two systems (Dry Skin & Oily Skin) to manage your complexion, reducing redness and irritation. Both Systems work to manage your skin condition and won’t irritate already sensitive skin.” (This is an over the counter medication.)

B. Kamins – According the website, B. Kamins is a free of fragrance and provides both sun protection and antioxident protection. It “contains anti-redness ingredients while moisturizing the skin… (which)….cools, calms, and relieves the redness associated with sensitive skin and inflammation associated with rosacea. “

It is used in conjunction with other OTC meds such as Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser and Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser. daily.

B. Kamins is equivalent to the sun protection of an SP15 lotion.

(This is an over the counter medication.)

DERMAdoctor Calm Cool & Corrected 2N1 Rosacea Tx – An over the counter treatment gel/lotion.

Oracea – an oral antibiotic (prescription only)

Finacea – a topical treatment (prescription only)

The two most popular laser treatment options are known as:

• Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This type of procedure is used to treat the persistent redness and dilated blood vessels of the skin, as well as the thickening of the nose and cheeks, that can manifest as part of Rosacea

How much do they cost? How many do I need?

For laser and IPL laser treatment, sessions runs from $300 to $600 apiece.

Effective laser therapy often takes up to 3 treatment sessions, which are spread out apart 6 to 8 weeks.

IPL treatment usually requires an additional 1-2 sessions but are spaced apart every 3 weeks.

It is often necessary to engage in lifelong follow-up treatments as well in order to keep flareups down.

How do these lasers work, exactly?

The laser will emit tiny wavelengths of light which target the blood vessels right below the skin. The heat from this energy is collected in the vessels, and disintegrates them. This is done because swelling of the blood vessels is partially what creates the redness of the face.

Lasers are also used to stop the building up of extra tissue that can create a largeness in the nose and checks.

One thing to note is that these laser technologies will usually cause a temporary bruising of the skin on the face. There are new technologies which do not cause the bruising, however they do not work as well as the others. The bruises last 1 to 2 weeks and then fade away.

Will they cure my Rosacea?

There is unfortunately no straight cure, only treatments, for Rosacea. Virtually all individuals who get Pulse Dye Laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment for Rosacea see some form of improvement. How much depends on many things – your skin type, how advanced Rosacea is, if you’ve been treating it beforehand, and of course, the skill and experience of the doctor performing the laser work!

Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of Rosacea.

• individual has a red discoloration (“flushing”) of the skin on the cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, and around the mouth
• there are persistent bumps or pimples on the skin, often mistaken for simple acne
• patients eyes are often watery, irritated, bloodshot. there might be a negative reaction to sunlight
• the blood vessels have become swollen on the patients face and are now visible on the surface of the skin
• there is a burning and stinging sensations on the patients face (also simply called inflammation)

Note:
A reddening of the skin, is a medical condition known as erythema. It is said to be caused by capillary congestion, but in up to 50% of cases there is no known reason for the cause.
The persistent bumps or “pimples” are more properly known as papules and pastules, respectively. These are often mistaken for acne but papules and pastules are not simply pimples.

Please note that any one of these signs above, individually, could be a symptom that Rosacea is developing and should be treated as such by consulting with a doctor.

As time goes on, these symptons can create other symptoms, such as a convergence of bumps on the skin which will make it appear larger and swollen, and the same for the cheeks. (This primarily effects men and not women.) This can create that “bulb” nose look occasionally seen on elderly men.