Rosacea is a chronic, red acne-like benign skin condition affecting mostly fair skin people between the ages of 30 and 60. It is characterized by flare-ups and remissions. The main symptoms of rosacea include: red or pink patches; visible tiny broken blood vessels; small red bumps that sometimes contain pus; red cysts and pink or irritated eyes. In other cases, the nose may become red and swollen from excess tissue. It is often misdiagnosed as adult acne hence the term Acne Rosacea. The exact cause is unknown. Most people with the disease may not even know they have rosacea or that it is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Many people who have rosacea may just assume they blush or flush easily or are just very sun sensitive.
Treatment depends on the physician’s diagnosis, staging and type of Rosacea and may include one or more of the following:
- General Measures: Life style changes to avoid or minimize triggers.
- Photofacial or Intense Pulsed Light Treatment: Small facial veins (telangietasia), redness and flushing can be successfully treated with Intense Pulsed Light. This is a gentle and highly effective solution with minimal discomfort and downtime.
- Topical Treatment: Metronidazole cream or gel can be used when symptoms are mild. For more severe cases it is combined with oral antibiotics. Azelaic acid cream or lotion is another topical treatment option.
- Oral Antibiotics: Tetracycline antibiotics including doxycycline and minocycline reduce inflammation, redness, papules, pustules and eye symptoms of rosacea. Duration and dose depends on severity. Additional courses may be necessary (on an as needed basis) since antibiotics won’t cure rosacea.
- Isotretinoin: When antibiotics are ineffective or poorly tolerated, oral Isotretinoin may be very effective when used long term and in low doses. This option is unsuitable for some people who experience certain side effects.
If you think you suffer from Rosacea and would like to discuss treatment options, please call MD Aesthetics (905 666 5117) for a FREE consultation or book a consultation online.