by Celine Araujo

Created on: October 02, 2008   Last Updated: October 10, 2008

Any kind of skin ailment can be embarrassing, not to mention uncomfortable, to the sufferer. One such disorder is rosacea, a long-lasting, non-scarring skin condition of the face. Rosacea often afflicts people with fair complexions, and is most often seen around the central area of the face. Symptoms typically first appear between 20-40 years of age.

Rosacea is often misdiagnosed as adult acne, because when it flares up it can cause red pustules (pimples). So how do you know you have rosacea? Here are some red flags:

Facial flushing, blushing, becoming persistent rednessStinging and burningInflammatory pustules, papules (pimples)Cheeks are not warmEye involvement (pink eye, sties, etc.)Telangectasiae (blood vessel lines)Soft tissue hypertrophy or skin thickening (rhinophyma)

Rosacea also causes eye complications such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), dry gritty eyes (ocular rosacea), recurring sties, and blepharitis (a severe, chronic form of pink eye). Also, rosacea and dandruff go hand in hand. As you can see, rosacea can affect much more than just your face.

Is there a treatment for rosacea?

Unfortunately, there is no one solution to make rosacea go away permanently. However, several different methods of lessening the effects and severity of rosacea are available to sufferers. Some treatment methods include:

Medical Treatment

Topical Treatments:

Azelaic Acid a natural acid found in grain, azelaic acid reduces pigment formation. This acid is applied to the affected area(s) twice a day in the form of a cream, with reduced inflammation and pigmentation seen after 4-8 weeks.Sodium Sulfacetaemide an antibiotic that is believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect. This is applied to the skin in the form of a cream, 1-3 times a day.Topical Metronidazole a nitroimidazole (used to combat bacterial and parasitic infections) that has antibiotic effects. Available to patients as a gel, cream, or lotion, it is applied to the face once or twice a day and has been shown to reduce pustules and papules (pimples) by about 65% over a course of 9 weeks.

Oral Antibiotics:

Erythromycins, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Tetracycline an antibiotic used to treat acne; its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects are valued in the treatment of rosacea. These are taken orally as pills, and a 15%-65% improvement in pustules and papules can be seen in about a month's time.Isotretinoin (Accutane) a retinoid (chemical compound similar to Vitamin A in its structure) capsule taken as directed.

Surgical/Laser Treatment

Laser treatment of telangiectasias (dilated blood vessels) and flushing and facial redness associated with rosacea. A pulsed dyed laser corrects the lesions of the vessels, improving the pigmentation of the skin. Some swelling, bruising, burning, redness and discomfort are common to the procedure.Rhinophyma a growth of the nose in predominantly male rosacea sufferers that causes the nose to look knobby and enlarges the pores. A CO2 laser is used to reduce the size of the nose and correct its shape, producing visible results after a healing period of 2-3 weeks.

So, I have rosacea. What products can I use that will not irritate my skin?

Make sure your cleanser is non-greasy, non-irritating, unscented, and is able to remove excess skin oils and cosmetics. Some examples include:

Cetaphil cleanser

Spectro Gel

Dove, by Unilever

Also be sure your cosmetics, moisturizer and sunscreen are non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), and perfume free. All of these products play a key role in maintaining and protecting your especially sensitive skin. Rosacea can try to take over your life, but with the help of a dermatologist, you can fight back, and win.

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