Treatment

Because the signs and symptoms of rosacea vary from one patient to another, treatment must be tailored by a physician for each individual case. Various oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat the bumps, pimples and redness often associated with the disorder. Dermatologists usually prescribe initial treatment with oral antibiotics and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, followed by long-term use of the topical therapy alone to maintain remission. When appropriate, treatments with lasers, intense pulsed light sources or other medical and surgical devices may be used to remove visible blood vessels, reduce extensive redness or correct disfigurement of the nose. Ocular rosacea may be treated with oral antibiotics and other therapy.

Skin Care

• Patients should check with their physicians to ensure their skin-care routine is compatible with their rosacea. A gentle skin-care routine can also help control rosacea. Patients are advised to clean their face with a mild and non-abrasive cleanser, then rinse with lukewarm water and blot the face dry with a thick cotton towel. Never pull, tug or use a rough washcloth.

• Patients may apply non-irritating skin-care products as needed, and are advised to protect the skin from sun exposure using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

• Cosmetics may be used to conceal the effects of rosacea. Green makeup or green-tinted foundations can be used to counter redness. This can be followed by a skin-tone foundation with natural yellow tones, avoiding those with pink or orange hues.

Lifestyle Management

In addition to medical treatment, rosacea sufferers can improve their chances of maintaining remission by identifying and avoiding lifestyle and environmental factors that trigger rosacea flare-ups or aggravate their individual conditions. For listings of common factors that may aggravate rosacea in individual cases, see Rosacea Triggers. The National Rosacea Society offers a free Rosacea Diary Booklet to assist patients in identifying factors that may affect their rosacea, as well as a booklet called "Coping with Rosacea" that provides tips on lifestyle management.