Review of Rosacea Treatments

After reviewing all of the different treatments for rosacea, one can get a little disoriented. That is because there are so many rosacea treatments. Rosacea treatments range anywhere from topical steroids to oral and topical antibiotics to prescription and nonprescription treatments as well.

Searching For An Effective Rosacea Treatment

When searching for an effective treatment for your rosacea, knowlegde of the various rosacea treatments and the possible side effects of the treatment options is a must. You must ask yourself, will this treatment, treat the symptoms of my rosacea? And can this rosacea treatment cause any other symptoms to appear?

Many times a treatment only targets one aspect of rosacea and can in fact create an even more severe rosacea problem.

Various Rosacea Treatments

Many rosacea sufferers have been frustrated for many years with unsuccessful or marginal results from many products. Antibiotics, retnoids, Accutane, and steroids have been a mainstay of treatment for years. Prescribed treatments and various rosacea laser treatments may not always produce the results promised; also these past treatments may have caused additional damage to the skin. Oral and topical antibiotic treatments for acne rosacea can work for up to several months before the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic, causing the antibiotic to lose its effectiveness. The search for an effective treatment can be endless

Protecting Your Eyes From The Summer Sun

Prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can cause serious eye damage. As we head into the summer season, an expert recommends some simple and effective ways to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Durham, N.C. -- As the weather warms up and we spend more time outside, the sun’s ultraviolet rays pose a greater risk, not just to our skin but also to our eyes. Dr. Eric Postel, an associate professor of ophthalmology in the Vitreoretinal Service at Duke University Eye Center, says UV rays may damage eye tissue and cause serious vision problems.

He says the best safeguard is prevention. “Protect yourself from the sun using hats, sunblock and sunglasses. We know that UV light can cause damage and leads to conditions such as cancer and cataracts. The other effects are less well understood, for example macular degeneration, but the simplest thing to do is to try and prevent it.”

Postel recommends sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV light. Wraparound styles can provide additional protection, and any lens color is equally effective. And don’t forget impact-resistant sunglasses for the kids. “The damage you receive from UV light is cumulative. Certainly, children who are outside and playing much more frequently than adults are more susceptible to sun damage, and we’re much more aware of that nowadays than when I was a child.”

Choosing A Rosacea Friendly Sunscreen

Since sun exposure is a common trigger factor for rosacea, proper sun protection may be a key to staying free of flare-ups this summer. Here are tips for using sunscreen this season and all year round.
*Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. SPF is a standard measure of protection against ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which are responsible for sunburns, DNA damage and elastic tissue damage.
*Select a sunscreen that can help protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can accelerate the aging process and contribute to skin cancer.
*To protect against heat, use a sunscreen that reflects rather than absorbs radiation, such as those containing non-chemical physical barriers like zinc oxide or micronized titanium oxide. These ingredients also protect against both UVA and UVB rays.1
*Rosacea patients with sensitive skin might try a pediatric sunscreen or a moisturizer combined with a sunscreen, which may be gentler and less likely to cause skin irritation.
*Use enough sunscreen to attain maximum benefit. A 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup is appropriate to cover the average adult body.
*Apply sunscreen 30 minutes in advance of going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or activities causing heavy perspiration. Remember, the best protection against the sun is to minimize exposure. Sunscreen should be used for greater protection, not in order to stay in the sun longer than necessary.

Planning a Rosacea Compatiable Holiday

Plan your holiday with your rosacea in mind. Depending on your individual sensitivities, the following suggestions can help lead to a much more enjoyable getaway.
Avoid sun exposure, which affects more than 80 percent of rosacea sufferers. Minimize exposure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When you do venture out, use a UVA sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. For sensitive skin, try a pediatric formulation or moisturizer mixed with sunscreen.
Avoid Stress. Expect the unexpected. Also, don't try to do too much in a day.
A/C is OK. Retreat to air-conditioning when the mercury rises.
Dress "Cool." Keep it light, loose and topped with a broad-brimmed hat.
Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of cold liquids. You may also want to mist your face with a battery-operated spray fan.
Watch Your Rosacea Pitfalls. Steer clear of spices, hot drinks and other edibles that may cause you to flush.
Flex Your Workout. Early or late in the day is best, when it's cooler outside.
Umbrellas Up. Good for rain...the beach...anywhere without shade.
Maintain Your Skin Care Routine. Although you may be tempted to take a break from your normal regimen, it's imperative to continue your rosacea treatment. Be sure to pack your medications and special skin-care products, and avoid all known tripwires.

Symptoms That Mimic Rosacea

The many symptoms that mimic rosacea and the many skin conditions with symptoms similar to rosacea can make the diagnosis of rosacea difficult. Medications used in the treatment of acne can be too harsh or aggressive leading to the onset of rosacea or acne rosacea. Aggressive acne treatments to reduce oiliness of the skin can result in the flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis. The butterfly rash of lupus can also lead to a mis-diagnosis of rosacea. Learning the difference between the symptoms of rosacea, eczema, acne, lupus and psoriasis is necessary to understanding your skin condition. It is possible for these skin conditions to co-exist making successful treatment a very difficult endeavor. Treating rosacea or other skin conditions need not involve an endless round of laser treatments and antibiotics, it can be as simple as modifying your lifestyle to include positive rosacea health and skin care habits. The treatment of rosacea or any skin condition must involve treatment of the whole body.

Pre-Rosacea

Dermatologists now recognize an early prelude to rosacea termed prerosacea. Prerosacea is the earliest noticeable stage of rosacea. Signs of this early stage of rosacea include frequent episodes of flushing or redness of the face and/or neck that come and go. Things that can cause an episode are exposure to the sun, emotional stress, alcohol, spicy foods, exercise, cold wind, hot foods and beverages, and hot baths. Again, each person is different and what might affect one person might not bother the next.