Rosacea is a skin condition involving the "flush/blush" area of the face, predominantly the nose, cheeks, central forehead, and chin.
Rosacea may be seen in both sexes and in all races; however, it occurs more commonly in middle-aged females of fair-skinned complexion. The symptoms of rosacea are varied, ranging anywhere from a slight flush of the skin to a more permanent redness, broken blood vessels (telangiectasias), and acne-like lesions to rhinophyma (think W.C. Fields's nose).
It is important to be aware of the factors that can trigger rosacea: alcohol, especially red wine, hot beverages, spicy foods, steam baths or saunas, hot baths, exposure to extreme heat or cold — all of which dilate your blood vessels.
Rosacea tends to be a chronic condition, with periods of lesser and greater activity. It is important to differentiate rosacea from other skin conditions and systemic diseases that may result in a central redness of the face. Successful treatment for your rosacea may involve several therapeutic approaches based on your individual symptoms:
- Avoidance of the triggers that exacerbate flushing.
- Use of topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, erythromycin, and sulfur-sulfacetamide and topical metronidazole and azelaic acid.
- For more severe cases, oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline may be given for both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Topical immunomodulators as well as topical antifungals may be effective.
- In severe cases of rosacea, a course of cis-retinoic acid (such as Accutane or Sotret) may be advisable.
- Broken blood vessels may be treated by electrodesiccation or laser.
- Redness may be treated by intense pulsed light (IPL) or laser.
Learn more in the Everyday Health Skin and Beauty Center.