Rosacea

• Ruddy face
• Flushing or blushing intermittently usually in response to a trigger
• Pimple-like bumps on the face
• Spider veins on the face
• Thicker or swollen skin
• Nose becoming more bulbous

While anyone can get rosacea, middle-aged women with fair skin are more likely to be affected by the disorder. Approximately 14 million Americans have rosacea. Other common factors in those with rosacea are:

• Fair skin
• Between 30 and 50 years old
• Personal history of acne
• Family history of rosacea

The cause of rosacea is unknown. Flare-ups may be triggered by spicy foods, drinking alcohol, hot foods, and stress. In addition to the facial symptoms of rosacea, eyes can be affected due to inflammation of the lining of the eyes.

The first step in treatment is a skin evaluation. In this evaluation, your skin will be observed to identify the degree of severity, and to form a treatment plan. Common treatment plans include laser treatments, prescription medications, and home treatments. Treatments may be combined to help make a substantial improvement in symptoms or to completely eliminate the redness. Typically, rosacea treatments include oral and topical medications. Ongoing treatment is required because this is a chronic condition. The topical treatments used to treat rosacea are metronidazole, topical sulfur, and azelaic acid. At low doses, doxycycline can also help treat the condition. Lasers and intense pulsed light are used to treat redness that is unresponsive to medications. The use of sunscreen is necessary to protect the skin and help prevent flare-ups that are a result of irritation from the sun’s rays. While rosacea may resemble acne, it may not respond to medications that treat acne.

The costs involved in treating rosacea depend upon what treatments and procedures are used for each patient. Each patient is unique and may have different grades of the condition.

After a private consultation, the best treatment plan for rosacea will be discussed. To schedule a private consultation, please call our office. Dermatology Affiliates’ board-certified dermatologists and staff members provide personalized care for medical dermatology patients in and around Atlanta and Marietta. Our patients receive the most advanced technology in their rosacea treatment. As a result, our patients maintain optimal skin health and increase their self-confidence due to their revitalized appearance. Contact our friendly staff to schedule a consultation or to get additional information regarding rosacea treatments.