Laser Treatments
Rosacea

Causes

Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness, pimples, and red lines on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. A rash over the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin often occurs. People sometimes call it “adult acne” because it can cause pimple-like outbreaks. Rosacea can also cause burning and soreness in the eyes and eyelids.

You may control rosacea with medication and by avoiding triggers that lead to flare-ups. Left untreated, rosacea can get worse.

Fair-skinned people between the ages of 30 and 60 are most likely to develop rosacea. Women are more likely to have rosacea, but men usually have more severe symptoms.

Symptoms of rosacea

Rosacea symptoms may include flushing of the face, and pimples or bumps on or around the cheeks, nose, mouth, and forehead. Sometimes the flushing or redness on the face can last for days. Some people say their skin burns or stings, especially when they apply lotions or medications.

You may notice tiny, red veins on your face that look like spiderwebs. You may also develop patches of rosacea on your ears, neck, chest, or back. Your face may feel increasingly dry, sensitive, or sunburned. Over time, some cases of rosacea that aren’t treated can cause knobby bumps on your nose and cheeks that can multiply. This is advanced rosacea, known as rhinophyma. It can give your nose a bulbous (swollen), waxy look. Most cases of rosacea don’t progress this far.

How is rosacea treated?

One of the first actions in caring for rosacea is to discover what triggers a flare-up of the disease. Triggers can include alcohol, stress, spicy foods, sun exposure, and extremes in surrounding temperature. It may be helpful to keep a diary of what you eat, drink, and do during the day. Make notes on the days that the rosacea appears. Then you can take the diary to your appointment and discuss lifestyle changes and actions that can help you control the disease.

At the Laser & Intensive Skin Care Center the doctor can prescribe antibiotic creams and oral antibiotics to treat the pimples that develop. Antibiotic creams, however, may cause burning and stinging for some people. These people may find that oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are a better option.

If antibiotics don’t control your rosacea, the doctor may try other medications such as tretinoin cream. Laser therapy may reduce the red lines (telangiectasia) of rosacea.

About half of the people who have rosacea also have eye irritation. It may feel like you have something in your eye. Your eyelids may look red and swollen. Oral antibiotics may help treat eye problems.

When you are outdoors, always wear sunscreen to control flare-ups. Also avoid heavy cosmetics and skin care products that irritate the skin, such as harsh soaps or cleansers that contain alcohol.

Can rosacea be cured?

There is no cure for rosacea. But early treatment can help you manage the symptoms with medications and by making lifestyle changes to avoid triggers for rosacea.