Rosacea Treatment

A large part of treatment for rosacea is self-care, which includes using sunscreen, practicing good skin care, and using a mild moisturizer. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and improve the skin's appearance. Medications and laser surgery may also be used to manage rosacea. Without proper treatment, the disease may progress to a more disfiguring condition.

 

Rosacea Treatment: An Introduction

Although there is no rosacea cure, the condition can be treated and controlled. Treatment for rosacea is designed to control symptoms and improve the appearance of the skin.
 
Many people can reduce or eliminate the need for rosacea medication by practicing good skin care and avoiding factors that may cause a flare-up. If medications are needed, it may take several weeks or months of treatment before an improvement in the skin is noticed. However, without proper care, rosacea may progress to a more disfiguring condition.
 

Medications Used to Treat Rosacea

Some doctors will prescribe a topical antibiotic, such as metronidazole, which is applied directly to the affected skin, to manage rosacea.
 
For people with more severe cases, doctors often prescribe an antibiotic that is taken by mouth, such as tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, or doxycycline. The papules (pink bumps) and pustules (bumps filled with pus) symptomatic of rosacea may respond quickly to this treatment. However, the redness and flushing are less likely to improve.
 
Medication for acne is effective in about three-quarters of affected people within a few months after starting treatment. Some people also find that antibiotic rosacea treatment not only relieves their acne, but also decreases facial redness.
 
(Rosacea Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD