Rosacea Treatment

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that tends to first appear around age 30, though “prerosacea” has been identified in people in their teens and early 20s. There are many symptoms associated with rosacea; without treatment, these symptoms can worsen intensely. There are four subtypes of rosacea, grouped according to a wide range of symptoms and levels of severity. However, there are some common indicators that link them all. Some of the early indicators of rosacea are consistent blushing or flushing of the face, ears, neck, and chest. The most common symptoms of rosacea are chronic facial redness, burning, itching, edema (swelling), bumps and pimples, and telangiectasia (spider veins). In extreme cases, rosacea can cause a thickening and disfiguring of the skin, often leading to a condition called rhinophyma, a distinctively “bulbous” nose. Rosacea can also occur in and/or around the eyes, a form of the disorder known as ocular rosacea; symptoms of ocular rosacea are watery, bloodshot, and stye-prone eyes. If you think you might have ocular rosacea, contact a doctor immediately; if left unchecked, it can cause damage to the cornea or even blindness.

Treating Rosacea

Although rosacea is not a curable disorder, it is possible to diminish and even eliminate its symptoms. Treating rosacea depends upon the particular needs of the individual patient and form of the condition. Rosacea treatments range from topical skin care products to laser intervention. Below are explanations of the three primary treatment options for this skin condition.