Mild Rosacea Treatment

Mild rosacea is a chronic facial skin disorder. Symptoms include flushing, skin redness, pimples, bumps and visible blood vessels. There are 4 subtypes of rosacea. In erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, the skin is chronically red and blood vessels are clearly seen. Papulopastular rosacea brings on chronic redness with pimples and bumps appearing intermittently. Phymatous rosaces causes facial skin to thicken with the nose becoming red and large. Ocular rosacea causes weepy eyes, swollen eyelids and possible corneal damage.

Identify Triggers

Avoiding triggers that set off face flushing in the first place can be helpful and reduce your need for topical or oral medications. Keeping a symptom diary over several weeks can help you identify the triggers. For many patients, sunlight is the the most common trigger. Your treatment may be as simple as wearing sunscreen daily, avoiding period of exposure to sun and choosing hats that will cover your face as much as possible. Look for a sunscreen that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Some rosacea patients find that exposing their face to cold air before going out into hot sunlight can help.

Self-Help

There are several actions you can take on your own to fight mild rosacea. Avoid washing your face in extremely hot water. Don't use rough washcloths and towels, and stay away from astringents and exfoliating soaps. Try to exercise in a cool place, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Stay away from any hot foods or drinks that seem to set off the redness.

Topical Medications

If you aren't happy with your rosacea's response to trigger and self-help therapy, you should consult a dermatologist. For mild rosacea, most doctors will start with a topical medication before prescribing oral drugs. An antibiotic cream, such as a metronidazole or benzoyl peroxide can usually reduce the redness. Some doctors prescribe azelaic acid, which is available as a cream or gel. It can be effective, but it does have side effects. You may experience an itching, burning or stinging sensation.

Oral Medications

When topical creams and gels don't do the trick, dermatologists will turn to a combination or oral and topical medications. Tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycyline and minocycline, are most commonly prescribed. These drugs, which can also help with facial acne, contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. Doctors believe they affect the blood vessels in the face and reduce the redness.

Accutane

Accutane is seldom prescribed for mild rosacea, but doctors occasionally use it for cases that don't respond to other types of treatment. Accutane is the brand name for isotretinoin, an extremely strong drug used as a last resort for acne. Low doses of Accutane can sometimes help mild rosacea, but should always be used under a doctor's supervision.