Treating The Symptoms Of Rosacea

The first step in treating rosacea is lifestyle change. Though rosacea is genetic in nature, there are lots of "triggers" that make it worse. Avoid common triggers listed:

Sun exposure: People with rosacea are particularly sensitive to sunlight. Apply sun block to the face when going outdoors. But take care! Skin affected by rosacea is very sensitive to chemicals. Use a quality sun block that doesn't irritate the skin.

Stress: Flushing increases when you're under stress. Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.

Alcohol: Alcohol doesn't cause rosacea, but it does dilate blood vessels in the face, resulting in increased rosacea flushing.

Spicy foods: Heavily spiced foods cause flushing and worsen rosacea.

Cosmetics: Makeup, cleansers, lotions, and even some moisturizers can irritate the skin. Use only products that are non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic.

The traditional first-line medical treatment is antibiotics. But beaware that overuse of antibiotics can lead to super bugs that are resisitant to antibioitcs.

Other topical treatments include azelaic acid, retinoic acid, and even vitamin C preparations. These products can lead to increased facial redness and skin irritation for skin that is already sensitive and red.

Lasers, pulsed light, and other surgical devices remove visible blood vessels and reduce redness. There are a lot of mixed reveiws about the effectiveness of laser and pulsed light.