Rosacea

Rosacea is characterized by one or more of the following features:

• A tendancy to flush
• Facial redness
• Red lumps and bumps on the skin that may contain yellow pus material (papules and pustules)
• Broken capillaries (telangiectasia)
• Dry and flaky skin
• Sensitive skin
• Nose that is thick with prominent pores (rhinophyma)

What is the cause of Rosacea?

Rosacea is more common in fair skin individuals with celtic type skin. The cause is not yet known and there are many theories that exist. We know that certain things aggrevate rosacea, such as sun light, menopause, topical steroid creams, spicy foods and alcohol.

How is it treated?

The severity of rosacea varies remarkably and treatment needs to be individualized. Your dermatologist will assess and advise you appropriately. Some important general measures include sun avoidance, the use of oil free products, avoidance of hot spicy foods, long hot showers, steam rooms etc.

Medical Treatment

Topical creams such as metronidazole (Rozex) and Azelaic acid (Finacea) and possibly tacrolimus or pimecrolimus will help prevent papule and pustule formation.

Tetracycline oral antibiotics also reduce inflammation papule and pustule formation. These treatments do not treat broken capillaries. Severe or persistent cases may require isotretinoin at a low dose for a long period of time. This drug is associated with potentially serious side effects and is not recommended for all cases.

Vascular Laser

Unsightly blood vessels do not respond to creams or tablets but rather require treatment with vascular laser. Three to 5 sessions of flash pump dye laser is effective in managing this. Textural changes to the nose can be managed using fractionated erbium laser therapy.