Rosacea
Rosacea Research in Portland, Oregon
Rosacea is a benign skin condition that has two components: pimples and pustules and redness and flushing. The pimples are often treated with topical mediations and oral antibiotics, the redness is much more difficult to treat.
Rosacea Triggers
- Heavy moisturizers, makeups, and other topical products can make rosacea worse, so it is important to pick facial products that are light and gentle without a lot of added ingredients for aging, wrinkles, sun spots etc.
- Heat, sunlight, coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, exercise, and stress can all make your rosacea worse.
Rosacea Tips
- Daily sunscreen helps protect your skin and can be helpful in maintaining rosacea and minimizing redness. Wear at least SPF 30 daily and reapply or increase SPF with extended sun exposure or when sweating and/or swimming.
- When picking products opt for powders and sensitive skin products, and look for brands/products that are made to camouflage redness; these often have a greenish tint.
Prescription Medications
- Topical treatments include metronidazole (Metrogel), sodium sulfacetamide, and Finacea often in combination with a sulfur cleanser like Plexion. These topicals help treat the acne like portion of rosacea.
- Oral antibiotics may be needed early in the treatment course or if you are experiencing severe symptoms. These are generally well-tolerated at the doses needed to treat rosacea. However, some people experience nausea, vomiting or sun sensitivity. Please call the office if you are concerned that you may be experiencing side-effects from the medication.
- Laser treatments are often used to treat the redness and blood vessel portion of rosacea if it is bothersome. We do not do these treatments in the clinic, and they are often not covered by insurance. We are happy to refer you for consultation if desired.
