Rosacea is a chronic (but treatable!) condition that is most commonly seen in patients with fair skin. Although the exact cause for rosacea remains unknown, researchers have narrowed it down to an inflammatory response in the skin that manifests as persistent facial redness. This redness may be accompanied by bumps, pimples visible blood cells, eye irritation or thickening of the skin.

 

Rosacea Triggers

Rosacea triggers include excessive sun exposure, stress, dietary factors, overgrowth of certain factors (such as Demodex mites) within the pores of the skin and a variety of other causes. Various exacerbating factors can produce different subtypes of rosacea, which often dictates the best treatment regimen.

 

Treatments

Treatments will vary based on the specific type of rosacea and personal medical history. Options include:

• Topical Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams and washes; antibiotic creams, creams that cause dilated blood vessels to constrict and antiparasitic creams
• Oral Medications ranging from antibiotics to antiparasitic agent to Isotretinoin (“Accutane”)
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments to improve redness