Rosacea - Common Skin Conditions: Skin Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Rosacea

This condition is sometimes confused with adult acne because it causes pimples on the face, affects mainly adults, and responds to some acne medications. But acne and rosacea are separate disorders. Rosacea is a chronic condition that affects the skin and sometimes the eyes. Symptoms may include pimples and enlarged blood vessels, causing redness and swelling mainly on the middle of the face. Eye irritation is another symptom, often referred to as ocular rosacea. Rosacea affects 14 million Americans. It's not clear what causes the condition, but genetics and environmental exposures seem to play a role. Rosacea runs in families. Some experts think that exposure to certain mites or bacteria may trigger rosacea by causing inflammation.

Treating rosacea

Rosacea has no cure, but treatment can help control pimples and prevent the most severe symptoms — enlarged blood vessels and redness and swelling of the nose. Treatment often involves applying topical medications, taking oral antibiotics, or both, as well as avoiding substances that irritate the skin and trigger symptoms.

Some of the same medications that are used to treat acne pimples are also used to treat pimples from rosacea, including antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide cream or lotion. Metronidazole and azelaic acid creams and gels are very helpful topical antibiotics. It can take at least a month to see results from topical medications.

For enlarged blood vessels, doctors often recommend laser surgery, light treatments, or electrosurgery with an electric needle. All of these procedures destroy the blood vessels that cause red lines and blotches.

Self-help measures are essential for controlling symptoms. Anything that increases blood flow to the face can potentially cause a flare-up of symptoms. This includes drinking hot drinks or alcohol, eating spicy foods, taking hot baths or showers, and rubbing the face while washing. Avoid lotions and cosmetics that contain alcohol and fragrances because these chemicals can irritate the skin and aggravate rosacea.

Last updated:	July 20, 2007