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Living with rosacea can be uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, but knowing how to manage your symptoms naturally and with medication can ease much of your frustration. Identifying your triggers can also play an integral role in reducing unwanted symptoms.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common dermatological condition that is associated with inflamed blood vessels that dilate in the face. According to the National Rosacea Society, more than 16 million people in the United States suffer from this skin disease. Rosacea is typically diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. Though both men and women can have rosacea, women are more likely to suffer from this skin disorder.
Though the root cause of rosacea is often unknown, patients report numerous triggers that cause a rosacea flare. If left untreated, rosacea symptoms (such as red, rough, or dry skin) can worsen. Treatment for rosacea includes laser or light therapy, pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, facial cleansers, and homeopathic remedies. Learn more about rosacea symptoms, triggers, and treatment options below.
How is rosacea diagnosed?
Your doctor or dermatologist will need to examine your skin and investigate your symptoms to determine if you have rosacea. No medical tests can diagnose rosacea. Questions concerning rosacea triggers as well as the appearance of the outbreak on the skin will most likely lead to an appropriate diagnosis. But because other conditions such as allergies, acne, and eczema can appear similar to rosacea symptoms, testing may be necessary to eliminate the possibility of another ailment.
Rosacea treatment options
While there is not a cure to eliminate rosacea altogether, there are plenty of methods for reducing and eliminating symptoms. Beyond avoiding triggers, medications, laser treatment, dermabrasion, natural remedies, diet, and even meditation are utilized by millions of people who experience rosacea. Most patients found that combining various treatments was the best solution to reducing rosacea symptoms and living with healthy skin.
Laser treatment
Laser technology can be used to shrink the visible blood vessels in the face. Performed by a dermatologist, an intense ray of light, the laser, will pulsate over the skin in an effort to reduce the red veins that appear on the flesh. Though the laser procedure may be uncomfortable, no anesthetics are needed.
Following the treatment, symptoms such as redness, swelling, and tenderness may appear worse. There may even be some bruising. But after the flesh has time to recover, patients report a noticeable reduction of redness and number of visible veins in the facial skin. However, laser treatment does not cure rosacea and periodic re-treatments are usually necessary to maintain these improvements in skin appearance. Potential side effects include changes in skin color, scarring, or blisters.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that removes the top layers of the skin through a sanding-like process. Although dermabrasion has proven to be an effective treatment for some individuals with rosacea, it is not always a recommended treatment because of the skin’s sensitivity. Performed under sedation, the skin may feel and look worse before it gets better. Side effects and complications may include scarring, infection, and uneven skin tone.
Rosacea medications
In an effort to manage the often uncomfortable, and sometimes embarrassing, symptoms of rosacea, doctors can prescribe a variety of medications. Rosacea treatment can include both topical and oral prescriptions to relieve the various symptoms of each type of rosacea.
Over-the-counter medicine
Over-the-counter medications are readily available to treat rosacea. Moisturizing gels, creams, and lotions can keep mild forms of rosacea under control. Prosacea is a medicated topical gel used to control rosacea symptoms such as redness, bumps, and dryness. Dermaced Redness Redux Advanced Rosacea and Skin Redness Serum is another option for an over-the-counter product that is available without prescription.
Acne medication
Even though acne and rosacea are different skin conditions and should be treated as such, the symptoms are often similar. Because of the similarities, some acne medications have proven to be helpful in treating rosacea. For example, dapsone, a medication that can come in an oral or topical form, often prescribed for individuals with acne, may be recommended by your doctor as part of your rosacea regiment. Similarly, the lotion sulfacetamide and sulfur commonly used to relieve acne symptoms are also used to help individuals suffering from rosacea. It is not uncommon for a prescription drug to treat a variety of ailments, especially closely related skin conditions as these.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often used to combat rosacea. Prescription medications are needed by many to navigate living with rosacea. Oral and topical antibiotics can be helpful in reducing inflammation with fast results. Long-term use of antibiotics is not recommended for most patients but the periodic use of such medication can be utilized with flare-up symptoms such as swelling, itching, redness, and burning sensations. The following are several examples of antibiotics that are prescribed for rosacea:
- Oracea (doxycycline)
- Tetracycline
- Minocycline
Eye drops
Individuals with ocular rosacea can include prescription eye drops as part of their treatment plan. Blephamide is a liquid steroid eye drop that is used for a period of three to seven days to treat unwanted symptoms then discontinued until needed again. In addition to eye drops, your physician may also suggest washing the eyelids and area surrounding the eyes with warm water and baby shampoo to relieve ocular rosacea symptoms.
Topicals
Topical medications that are applied to the skin are commonly used among individuals who suffer from rosacea. Topicals may come in a liquid, gel, or lotion. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following:
- Azelex (azelaic acid)
- Finacea (azelaic acid)
- MetroCream (metronidazole)
- Mirvaso Gel (brimonidine)
- Rhofade (oxymetazoline)
The most effective medications for rosacea patients with red bumps or pimples contain the active ingredients azelaic acid or metronidazole, according to Harvard University Medical School. Furthermore, these prescription drugs are known to be safe for long-term use with minor side effects such as discomfort or stinging after applying them. Most patients have to use these medications long term to keep the rosacea under control.
For rosacea patients with redness alone, without many bumps or pimples, the medication with the best evidence to reduce redness is brimonidine gel. And the next best option for these patients is oxymetazoline cream. Both drugs have potential side effects such as skin irritation, pain, or burning, and can occasionally make the redness of rosacea worse instead of better.
Immunosuppressants
In some extreme cases of rosacea, your doctor may prescribe a type of drug called an immunosuppressant. Used to suppress or slow down the immune system to prevent the further development of your disease, immunosuppressants are recommended only in severe cases of rosacea.
Immunosuppressants are a temporary solution to get rosacea symptoms under control and usually prescribed in low doses. Side effects of immunosuppressants can vary, including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, increased risk for infections, as well as liver or kidney damage. Methotrexate and isotretinoin are two of the immunosuppressants that could be suggested for rosacea.
Isotretinoin
In rosacea cases where the symptoms are out of control, doctors may prescribe isotretinoin (also known as Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, or Zenatane). Although this medication can reduce rosacea symptoms, it is an immunosuppressant drug and can cause many unwanted side effects.
Side effects such as increased risk for infection, thinning of hair, nausea, and drying out the body including mouth, nose, throat, and anus could occur if using isotretinoin. Your doctor may start you out on a low dose of this medication if other prescribed methods fail to clear up symptoms. You may need to be closely monitored for side effects.
What is the best medication for rosacea?
The following is a list of the top rosacea medications currently available.
| Best medications for rosacea | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Drug Class | Administration Route | Standard Dosage | Most Common Side Effects |
| Erygel (erythromycin) | Antibiotics | Topical | Apply a thin layer to skin twice a day | Dry skin, irritation, itching |
| Minocin (minocycline) | Antibiotics | Oral | 100 mg capsule every 12 hours | Dizziness, tiredness, itching, rash |
| Sumycin (tetracycline) | Antibiotics | Oral | 500 mg capsule on an empty stomach | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores |
| MetroCream (metronidazole) | Antibiotics | Topical | Apply a thin layer to skin once or twice a day | Redness, irritation, headache, application site pain |
| Oracea (doxycycline) | Antibiotics | Oral | 40 mg delayed-release capsule once daily on an empty stomach | Runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, sensitivity to sun |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
What are common side effects of rosacea medication?
Almost every pharmaceutical has a list of potential side effects. Rosacea medications may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, or dryness as potential side effects of the treatment. While some individuals are not easily bothered by side effects, others are highly sensitive.
Monitoring yourself for side effects is an important part of your treatment. It is important to share your findings with your doctor, especially if you are experiencing negative side effects from your medications. If you are not satisfied with your current medication, talk to your doctor about prescribing a different medication that works better for you.
What is the best home remedy for rosacea?
Controlling your rosacea symptoms may require a combination of prescription medications as well as natural or alternative remedies. Essential oils, aloe vera, honey, herbal teas, and stress-reducing activities such as yoga and meditation are helpful in naturally taking care of the body to reduce signs of rosacea.
As you know, avoiding triggers is an important step in the process. While eating certain foods can cause a flare-up of rosacea symptoms, consuming or even applying other foods and beverages to the skin can keep skin healthy.
1. Green tea
Green tea, for example, has anti-inflammatory properties. Incorporating green tea into your day could be part of your routine for wellness. Drinking the tea as well as massaging it into your skin can help reduce redness and swelling. Make the green tea, as usual, let it cool or keep refrigerated. Using a washcloth, apply a green tea compress, wash, or massage the tea onto affected areas.
2. Chamomile tea
Similar to green tea, chamomile tea also has anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce redness and swelling in the face. You can prepare the tea and let cool and use as a wash or compress, or allow tea bags to cool and place them directly on affected areas.
3. Licorice
Licorice extract and products containing licorice extract can be helpful in reducing redness caused by rosacea. Licorice contains several anti-inflammatory properties such as plant sterols and flavonoids that are reported to show signs of improvement for rosacea sufferers, especially used in combination with other treatments.
4. Oatmeal
The application of cooked oatmeal, that has cooled down, on the skin can be soothing for rosacea symptoms. Oatmeal can act as an exfoliant and moisturizer, helping to clear up dry itchy patches of skin.
5. Honey
Honey is another food item that can be used as a topical treatment. Rich in humectant, a moisturizer, honey can heal dryness and reduce red, itchy patches of skin. Gently rub honey on skin and allow to dry. After about thirty minutes wash off with warm water.
6. Essential oils
Almond or coconut oil infused with an essential oil such as lavender is another natural remedy that could be used to support healthy skin if you have rosacea. Other essential oils including rose, tea tree, thyme, and jasmine are also suggested for rosacea skin care.
Mix 2-3 drops of the essential oil of choice into a carrier oil (coconut or almond oil) and massage the skin. Tea tree oil can be abrasive to some individuals with sensitive skin but has a nice drying effect. Try different combinations of oils along with other remedies for the best solution for you.
7. Aloe vera
Aloe vera, a common house plant with healing properties can also be a helpful agent for healthy skin. Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf and use the gel to treat areas affected by rosacea. Ayurvedic medicine praises aloe vera as a remedy for healing a variety of skin conditions. After the natural gel is applied wait 20-40 minutes and rinse off.
8. Sunscreen and protective clothing
Protecting your skin from the elements is part of avoiding triggers. Seeking sun protection in natural shade during the heat of the day, as well as applying sunscreen can help save your skin from breakouts. Using topical sunscreen sprays or creams, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and protecting your skin with clothing can really reduce redness, itching and blotchy skin.
It is vital to protect your skin in cold, windy, and wet weather as well. Wearing a scarf over your face and cheeks can really make a difference if you want to avoid a rosacea outbreak. Natural remedies such as wearing proper clothing and sunscreen can help keep your skin healthy.
Frequently asked questions concerning rosacea
What is the most effective treatment for rosacea?
Managing your symptoms effectively depends on many factors, but many are within your control. Participating in a variety of healing methods, medicinal as well as holistic and natural, could be the answer. Systematically try a method to test and notice the results. When managing your rosacea, avoid triggers and seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve or worsen.
How do I clear up my rosacea fast?
Seek medical treatment and take prescribed medications as recommended. Avoiding triggers such as foods and alcohol that cause flare-ups are important for maintaining healthy skin. Protecting yourself from extreme hot and cold weather are addition triggers to avoid. Incorporating natural remedies and using over the counter medications as needed can also be the answer for healthier skin.
What is the latest treatment for rosacea?
A balanced diet. Reducing or eliminating sugary, processed foods and meats may be key to rosacea management. Eating leafy greens, lean poultry, grapes, fennel, cardamon, cucumber, coriander, and a variety of other health foods plays an important role in inflammation and redness reduction.