There are several different types and severities of rosacea that require multi-level treatments for each individual patient. Rosacea is generally diagnosed through an examination and medical history. In some cases, tests may be required to rule out other skin conditions such as psoriasis, lupus, eczema, and other forms of acne. Rosacea treatments focus on relieving the symptoms and may combine several types of medications or therapies.
Medications may be topical or oral and specialists, like our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Harriet Comite, may prescribe them according to the signs and symptoms you have. Some of the prescription drugs used are topical creams or gels that reduce redness. They constrict the blood vessels and the results are seen in about 12 hours. This treatment is temporary, so you need to apply the medication on a regular basis to maintain any improvement you see.
We also offer several therapies that may help reduce the inflammation and large blood vessels that are the symptoms of rosacea. These include dermabrasion that removes the top layers of skin, intense pulsed light therapy that destroys the capillaries that are part of the cause of the redness, and electrosurgery that is used for thick skin.
There are several symptoms and you may have more than one. Facial redness is the most common and is seen in mild to severe cases. Red bumps that appear like acne and may contain pus are also a symptom of rosacea. Up to 50 percent of people with some form of rosacea experience eye problems. Their eyes become dry, swollen and irritated. The eye symptoms may precede the skin symptoms. In rare cases, the skin around the nose may thicken and appear bulbous. This symptom is seen in men more often than in women.
Doctors and scientist don’t know the cause of rosacea yet but they believe it is a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. It is not caused by poor personal hygiene. Some of the most common triggers for a rosacea flare-up are:
• Spicy food and hot drinks
• Alcohol
• Sunlight and wind
• Extreme exercise
• Certain cosmetics
• Extremes in temperature
• Prescription medications
During a consultation, your rosacea will be examined and the best course of action for your individual case may be prescribed. You no longer need to live with a constantly red face. Contact us today at Advanced Skin Care in Wyomissing, PA to schedule a consultation.