Rosacea can make the skin look red, scaly, bumpy, and uneven. It also may cause flushing, a burning or stinging sensation, and broken blood vessels (telangiectasias). Eventually the nose can become thickened from excess tissue. Some people get a swollen eyelid (blepharitis) and/or a swollen face (rhinophyma). Rosacea may be more common in fair-skinned people, but it can affect people of all races and ethnicities. Symptoms of the condition are long-lasting and often return even after treatment.
Your doctor will diagnose rosacea from your history of symptoms and examination of the face and eyes. Because rosacea is so similar to other conditions, such as psoriasis and lupus, your doctor may order tests to rule out these diseases before establishing a diagnosis of rosacea.
The best rosacea treatment is a combination of good skin care and prescription drugs. In the early stages, your physician will likely prescribe topical medications such as metronidazole, sulfacetamide/sulfur, or azelaic acid. These medicines are effective for reducing inflammation and redness. If your signs and symptoms are severe, oral tetracyclines such as doxycycline or minocycline are sometimes used to control flares.
Your doctor can advise you on how to avoid triggers that exacerbate your rosacea. These may include hot or cold weather, wind, spicy food, alcohol, emotional stress, and certain topical products that irritate the skin or decrease its barrier function. These rosacea treatment strategies should help you improve the appearance of your skin and increase your confidence in it. rosacea treatment