Rosacea symptoms can be minimized

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have a chronic inflammatory skin condition called rosacea. It mainly affects the face and is characterized by a persistent redness of the skin, including small visible blood vessels, an acne-like appearance and a tendency to blush easily. Rosacea may cause burning or stinging sensations and dry, itchy skin.

More common in women than men, rosacea usually develops between the ages of 30 and 60. It can affect anyone, although people with fair skin are most prone to it. It can be caused by several factors, including heredity and chemical reactions within the body that trigger inflammation.

Any activities that increase warmth in the body can worsen rosacea, such as exercise, stress and consumption of alcohol, spicy foods or foods with a high histamine content such as aged cheese. Hot weather, dry air and wind can also play a role. Recently, researchers found that bacteria may also worsen rosacea.

While rosacea can’t yet be cured, it can be treated and managed. The easiest treatment is to avoid factors that increase heat in the body.

Several medical treatments may help control and minimize the symptoms of rosacea. Monthly laser treatments with pulsed dye lasers (such as the V-Beam) can significantly reduce redness and inflammation. Research has shown that people with rosacea tend to have increased levels of a skin enzyme that increases inflammation. Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline (Oracea) are widely used to inhibit the activity of this enzyme.

Topical antibiotics such as Metrogel or Finacea may also be effective. Finally, sulfur and sulfacetamide lotion cleansers can help control both inflammation and infection.

Dr. Peter Rullan specializes in dermatology with Scripps Health.


Get Mobile.
U-T in the App Store