Skin Care Products|Treatments|Facts

What Can Be Done To Treat Rosacea?

July 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that millions of individuals suffer from and although there is not a cure there are many successful ways to treat the signs and symptoms. By utilizing the help of a dermatologist and making small lifestyle changes Rosacea can be controlled and in some instances the progression can be regressed.

What The Doctors Can Do

There are various treatments that are used by dermatologists to treat the various symptoms of this disorder including topical products, oral medications, and laser treatments. For instance:

1. Topical and/or oral antibiotics are used to treat papules and pustules which are small red bumps that are often filled with pus. These antibiotics are also indicated for certain eye ailments associated with Rosacea.

2. Anti inflammatory are used to reduce the reddened or flushed appearance by reducing the dilating blood vessels.

3. Various laser therapies can be used to destroy the visible blood vessels, however it is important to realize that multiple sessions are necessary. Follow up treatments will also be necessary for maintenance. Lasers can also be implemented to treat Rhinophyma (the thickened skin on the nose), a surgery of some type is generally necessary to deal with this symptom.

What You Can Do

Not wanting to sound like a broken record but lifestyle changes are must in helping to treat and control Rosacea. By implementing small changes you can successfully avoid flare ups that are often initiated by blood flow to the facial areas that are most often affected. For instance:

1. Avoid irritating the skin with unnecessary touching, rubbing or scrubbing. Gentle is always best.

2. By the same token do not use facial or skin products that are abrasive or that contain alcohol or fragrances. As a rule, those individuals who suffer with Rosacea have ultra sensitive skin and may also experience increased allergic reactions.

3. Avoid consuming foods or beverages that cause an increased blood flow or vasodilators. Vasodilators include such things as coffee, tea, cigarettes, artificial sweeteners and sugar. Avoid consuming alcohol. Avoid drinking beverages that are hot, cold drinks are always better. Another food group to avoid is foods that are spicy. It is important that individuals who suffer from Rosacea seem to suffer from food related allergies.

4. Always protect your skin from the sun, ensure you are using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 45, the higher the better.

5. Avoid the cold and over heating whenever possible. Exercise when and where it is cool, for instance if you walk or run for exercise than do it in the morning or in the evening avoiding the hottest times of the day. Remember exercise is also important to reduce stress which also can contribute to Rosacea. Use luke warm water for bathing and for showers. In the winter always protect your skin from the extreme cold.

6. Stay hydrated, for those suffering from Rosacea it is recommended that you try to consume approximately ten to twelve glasses of water per day.

Since what triggers Rosacea is often different for each individual it is important to try and track your flushing episodes by taking note of the foods, beverages, facial products, activities, or medications that may have trigger the un wanted response. The easiest way to do this is by using a diary.