It is not an easy task to treat rosacea. This disease is accompanied by skin inflammation and is considered life-long. As there are no defined causes of its occurrence, modern medicine cannot cure it once and for all. However, one can determine the main triggers that provoke the worsening of the skin condition and recommend certain medicines that we are going to explore here.
What is Rosacea?
This illness is about the skin inflammation that mainly occurs on the face, including the eyes, and neck. Pimples and swelling may also appear as well as visible blood vessels. The most commonly affected body parts include the face, neck, chest and scalp.
Usually, the disease manifests itself after the age of 30 years. Each individual has his or her own set of triggers that provoke this condition and make the condition of the skin worse. They include exposure to the sun, cold and hot weather, stress, spicy food, alcoholic beverages and cosmetic products.
As there is no infinite cure, it is important to determine the provoking factors correctly and avoid their influence.
Types of Rosacea
According to the symptoms that prevail and the body part that is affected, there are four types of this condition.
Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR)
In this case, the condition is persistent. The patient experiences redness in the face, enlarged and visible blood vessels. Symptoms may appear and disappear at any moment.
Papulopustular Rosacea
This type can be easily confused with acne due to the formation of pimples. The latter may be full of fluid or puss. The skin is also swelled.
Phymatous Rosacea
The skin becomes swelled and thickened. It also could be bumpy, especially on the nose.
Ocular Rosacea
If the disease affects the eyes, one feels irritation in them and they become watery and bloodshot. The sensitivity to light appears together with painful bumps on the eyelids.
Rosacea Symptoms and Signs
The basic symptoms of this condition can be easily confused with acne or other skin issues. Therefore, it is important to consider them together and pay attention to the following problems.
Redness
In the case of rosacea, this symptom is persistent. It may look similar to the sunburn or flushing that does not disappear. In addition, there may be a stinging or burning sensation, and the inflammation will stay even after applying some treatment.
Swelling
The affected skin is often swelled and thickened. The swelled face is also a common symptom.
Eye Problems
When the disease affects the eyes, they become watery and irritated. Red and swollen eyelids may get bumps. All this together leads to vision impairment, especially if the condition is left untreated.
How to Treat Rosacea?
As we have already mentioned, there is no one certain treatment, as the scientists have not yet found the cause of the disease. Still, a set of useful remedies helps to cope with the most unpleasant symptoms and continue to live a normal life.
Topical Medications
As the first remedy, doctors usually prescribe creams and gels with oxymetazoline. This compound constricts the blood vessels and helps to prevent flushing. The effect stays for nearly 12 hours after application. However, it is temporary, so regular usage is required.
Other topical medications are prescribed to get rid of pimples. They include remedies with metronidazole and ivermectin (Stromectrol). Metronidazole treatment gives the results after a period of two to six weeks. Ivermectin usually takes even longer but it provides a longer remission.
Oral Antibiotics
Stromectol can be also prescribed as an oral dosage form if the condition is too severe and pimples do not respond to the topical treatment only.
There are two possible dosages, namely 200 and 400 micrograms/kg. The second dose is given in 9-10 days after the first one if needed. This medicine is not utilized during pregnancy and breastfeeding and should be used cautiously for children.
Azelaic acid
This compound belongs to the topical remedies and helps to reduce inflammation and redness and improve the texture of the skin. It is also good for coping with persistent pimples. It is utilized as a part of lotions and other topical remedies.
Brimonidine
This medicine is prescribed in the course of topical therapy and has a similar effect to oxymetazoline. Thus, it reduces facial flushing and redness but gives only a temporary effect. The mechanism of action is the constriction of the blood vessels but after the effect ceases they return to the previous state.
Laser and Light Therapy
If the blood vessels on the face are too pronounced, then one can utilize laser or light therapy to get rid of them. These procedures include:
- intense pulsed light;
- pulsed dye laser;
- photodynamic therapy.
After these procedures, enlarged blood vessels become less visible. This type of treatment gives the highest efficiency on the light skin. If it is brown, black or tanned the result will not be so pronounced.
Professional Procedures
The most common prescriptions can be also enriched with a variety of cosmetology procedures. Such options as laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion and various chemical peels help to normalize the skin color and surface and decrease inflammation.
They should be chosen by the specialist according to the type of problem observed. They also should be done regularly to achieve the desired effect. However, they are not invasive and help to maintain the skin in the proper condition, so they are beneficial.
Alternative Treatment
As some scientists consider the inner nature of rosacea, the traditional treatment may be accompanied by other remedies. They aim to normalize metabolism and make certain inner changes that seem positive.
Omega-3 supplements
Omega-3 acids are required for the functioning of the brain and also for the proper skin condition. They are able to reduce inflammation. Thus, their supplements are often recommended to patients with rosacea.
In addition, one may enrich a diet with products like fish, soybeans, walnuts, avocados, chia seeds, etc. They are a good source of these compounds and useful for overall health.
Probiotics
Various skin problems are often associated with the disturbed microflora of the guts and its influence on the whole body. That is why probiotics are recommended to improve gut-skin connection and solve this problem as one of the possible keys to full recovery.
Furthermore, if you were prescribed oral antibiotics, you have to ask for probiotics for certain. This will help to avoid adverse effects related to killing helpful bacteria in the guts. Thus, probiotics are required usually for patients with rosacea.
Anti-inflammatory
Some anti-inflammatory topical agents are of a natural origin and may be applied without any restrictions on a daily basis. This includes lotions with green tea, chamomile, aloe vera and other similar plants. One can also prepare such remedies at home and enjoy their powerful effect.
Management of Associated Symptoms
In addition, it is important to correctly diagnose the disease and its type and treat all the symptoms properly. Thus, when the rosacea affects the eyes, the approach should be as follows.
Eye Care for Ocular Rosacea
The most common remedies include:
- eye drops and ointments with steroids that help to instantly decrease redness and swelling;
- pills or topical remedies with antibiotics (these are usually the same as for the skin treatment);
- artificial tears for keeping the eyes moisturized. Keep in mind that it is prohibited to utilize common eye drops for bloodshot eyes treatment. They make symptoms of this condition even worse;
- eyelid scrubs and other remedies for keeping the eyes clean.
It is recommended to clean the eyelids gently with a washcloth. Special eyelid cleaning products or baby shampoos are mixed with warm water for this. A warm cloth may be put on the closed eyes during the day according to the doctor’s recommendation.
Summary
To conclude, rosacea is more unpleasant than dangerous. Still, the affected skin requires special help and treatment and as much attention as possible. The symptoms will not disappear on their own. Therefore, do not neglect the diagnostics and accurately follow the treatment scheme. This allows bringing the skin back to normal condition. Further on, do your best to avoid triggers and keep the disease at bay.
FAQ
What helps rosacea go away?
Such topical remedies as oxymetazoline and brimonidine help to reduce inflammation and redness. Stromectol is prescribed as a topical or oral remedy to get rid of pimples. Laser therapy cures the skin afterward.
What is the fastest way to soothe rosacea?
All the topical remedies that contain oxymetazoline, brimonidine and azelaic acid give the fastest effect. However, it does not last long, so antibiotics are also prescribed.
How I got rid of my rosacea naturally?
One can improve diet and apply certain plant-based topical remedies. However, without proper medical treatment, this condition does not disappear. Therefore, do not neglect all possible remedies.
Can I get rid of rosacea on my own?
It is recommended to consult a healthcare provider and select the individual mode of treatment. In addition, some medications are prescription, so consultation is required to be able to purchase and utilize them.