Rosacea is a medical condition that causes a red rash on the face, and in some cases excess tissue also begins to grow. The rosacea rash is most noticeable across the cheeks and nose, although it can also affect the forehead and chin areas of the face. In some patients, the skin of the nose becomes thickened along with the usual redness that occurs with this skin condition. The rosacea rash does not have a cure, but there are various treatment measures, some aimed at prevention, that can help to relieve some of the symptoms. These include taking antibiotics, limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen, and avoiding alcohol and spicy foods.
The rosacea rash tends to last for prolonged periods of time, although it does disappear and then come back in most patients. If left untreated, the condition can become worse over time. Treatment is aimed at improving the look of the skin and alleviating symptoms. The redness involved with the rash is more difficult to treat than the pimples that sometimes develop as part of the rosacea rash.
Oral antibiotics are typically prescribed and are frequently used along with an antibiotic ointment that is used on the rash itself. This often helps to clear up any infection of the skin and helps relieve the associated swelling or inflammation. It can often take several weeks of antibiotic therapy before the skin starts to look any better.
The primary treatment methods used for rosacea rash are designed to help prevent future flare-ups. Sun exposure is known to worsen the symptoms of the rosacea rash. Therefore, limiting exposure to the sun is important to the rosacea patient. A sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 should be used regularly, even when the patient is experiencing only mild sun exposure.
Alcohol, hot drinks, and spicy foods should be limited, as these items can worsen the rosacea rash in some patients. The patient should also avoid extremes in temperature, as becoming very cold or very hot can trigger a flare-up. Stress and strenuous exercise are known triggers in a lot of patients as well.
Harsh abrasives should be avoided by patients with rosacea. Instead, a very mild soap or facial cleanser should be used. It is important to use a gentle moisturizer on the skin as well. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of the skin. This type of specialist is qualified to help the patient decide on the proper treatment for rosacea, depending on the individual needs of the patient.
