4 Ways to Treat Rosacea

Look for products with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients such as feverfew, found in Aveeno's Ultra Calming Cream, or licorice, found in Eucerin's redness relief line of products. Products with caffeine such as Rosiac from La Roche Posay can help constrict blood vessels on the face minimizing redness and decreasing inflammation. Green-tinted foundation creams and powders counteract the redness, making rosacea less noticeable. Prescription Medications Topical medications are often effective in controlling rosacea. They can be divided into two categories: antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Metronidazole is a prescription antibiotic cream or gel that can be used once or twice a day, depending on the strength. Other antibiotics, such as sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur creams, are often combined with sunscreens to help block ultraviolet light, a common trigger for rosacea. Azelaic acid, another antibiotic that comes in a cream or gel, has antibacterial as well as anti-acne properties to fight rosacea; some people do not tolerate it well because it can sting when applied. Antiinflammatory creams such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus can reduce inflammation without worsening the rosacea, which can happen with some topical steroids such as hydrocortisone. When topical creams are not sufficient or when the rosacea affects the eyes as well as the skin, oral antibiotics are often used. The most common oral medication are tetracyclines such as doxycycline or minocycline; these are usually very effective when used for weeks to months. Other oral antibiotics, such as azithromycin and erythromycin, are effective as well. Laser Treatment Because rosacea often leads to undesirable facial redness, lasers that target the red color can be used to treat it. Lasers such as the KTP laser, which uses a green light, or the PDL laser, which uses a yellow light, are both good at destroying dilated blood vessels on the face that are seen in rosacea. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a light treatment similar to a laser that has been shown to be effective at clearing the redness of rosacea. Unfortunately, lasers and lights cannot prevent rosacea from occurring; they can only erase some of the effects of having the disease. Prevention is the Best Treatment One of the most important things you can do to minimize rosacea is to avoid triggers. Rosacea is worsened in most people by exposure to the sun. Wear a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 every day. Sunscreens with chemicals such as avobenzone can be irritating for rosacea sufferers; try sunscreens labeled for sensitive skin or ones that contain only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. These metal sunscreens are less likely to be irritating, and might actually help soothe and protect your skin. It is also necessary to avoid products that contain steroids such as hydrocortisone cream. Although they can soothe the skin and improve redness in the short term, your rosacea can worsen when you stop using it, leading to a vicious cycle.
Overheating can exacerbate rosacea. Avoid hot showers, jacuzzi and steam rooms. Spicy foods, citrus fruits and or high acidic foods such as tomatoes can make rosacea worse for some people, and should be avoided. Alcohol and hot drinks like coffee and tea are also common triggers for rosacea. The best way to determine what worsens your rosacea is to keep a diary. Include foods you ate, drinks you consumed, products you used, as well as weather conditions that day. If you keep up your diary for 2 to 4 weeks, then you will likely discover triggers, that, when avoided, may significantly improve your rosacea. rosacea,acne treatment,acne prevention, acne,acne home remedies

A woman is receiving a facial treatment from a dermatologist. (Image: Highwaystarz-Photography/iStock/Getty Images)

Over-the-Counter Rosacea Remedies Rosacea is a common skin condition in adults. It appears as redness, pimples or as thickening of the skin on the face. It often makes the skin sensitive to soaps and creams, as well as to environmental exposures like sun and wind. Fortunately, for most people, mild rosacea can controlled with over-the-counter products. Look for products with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients such as feverfew, found in Aveeno's Ultra Calming Cream, or licorice, found in Eucerin's redness relief line of products. Products with caffeine such as Rosiac from La Roche Posay can help constrict blood vessels on the face minimizing redness and decreasing inflammation. Green-tinted foundation creams and powders counteract the redness, making rosacea less noticeable. Prescription Medications Topical medications are often effective in controlling rosacea. They can be divided into two categories: antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Metronidazole is a prescription antibiotic cream or gel that can be used once or twice a day, depending on the strength. Other antibiotics, such as sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur creams, are often combined with sunscreens to help block ultraviolet light, a common trigger for rosacea. Azelaic acid, another antibiotic that comes in a cream or gel, has antibacterial as well as anti-acne properties to fight rosacea; some people do not tolerate it well because it can sting when applied. Antiinflammatory creams such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus can reduce inflammation without worsening the rosacea, which can happen with some topical steroids such as hydrocortisone. When topical creams are not sufficient or when the rosacea affects the eyes as well as the skin, oral antibiotics are often used. The most common oral medication are tetracyclines such as doxycycline or minocycline; these are usually very effective when used for weeks to months. Other oral antibiotics, such as azithromycin and erythromycin, are effective as well. Laser Treatment Because rosacea often leads to undesirable facial redness, lasers that target the red color can be used to treat it. Lasers such as the KTP laser, which uses a green light, or the PDL laser, which uses a yellow light, are both good at destroying dilated blood vessels on the face that are seen in rosacea. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a light treatment similar to a laser that has been shown to be effective at clearing the redness of rosacea. Unfortunately, lasers and lights cannot prevent rosacea from occurring; they can only erase some of the effects of having the disease. Prevention is the Best Treatment One of the most important things you can do to minimize rosacea is to avoid triggers. Rosacea is worsened in most people by exposure to the sun. Wear a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 every day. Sunscreens with chemicals such as avobenzone can be irritating for rosacea sufferers; try sunscreens labeled for sensitive skin or ones that contain only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. These metal sunscreens are less likely to be irritating, and might actually help soothe and protect your skin. It is also necessary to avoid products that contain steroids such as hydrocortisone cream. Although they can soothe the skin and improve redness in the short term, your rosacea can worsen when you stop using it, leading to a vicious cycle.
Overheating can exacerbate rosacea. Avoid hot showers, jacuzzi and steam rooms. Spicy foods, citrus fruits and or high acidic foods such as tomatoes can make rosacea worse for some people, and should be avoided. Alcohol and hot drinks like coffee and tea are also common triggers for rosacea. The best way to determine what worsens your rosacea is to keep a diary. Include foods you ate, drinks you consumed, products you used, as well as weather conditions that day. If you keep up your diary for 2 to 4 weeks, then you will likely discover triggers, that, when avoided, may significantly improve your rosacea. rosacea,acne treatment,acne prevention, acne,acne home remedies