As with so many other conditions, there are many different rosacea treatments to choose from, from prescription medications to numerous over-the-counter treatments. Because rosacea is a chronic skin condition and there is currently no cure for rosacea, the condition has to be treated on a daily basis to keep symptoms under control. This is why it is essential to pick a rosacea treatment that you will feel comfortable with putting on your skin on a daily basis. This article will describe what to look for in a rosacea treatment and what ingredients you may want to avoid.

Rosacea is a skin condition that develops in several stages. The early phases of rosacea are often not noticed by most people as the early signs of red, blotchy skin and prolonged flushing are usually not causing enough discomfort for most people to see a doctor. However, when the disease progresses and the skin becomes more inflamed, itchy and pus-filled pustules and papules begin to emerge on the skin, many rosacea sufferers will take the first step to see a doctor about their skin condition.

Prescription-based Rosacea Treatments
A prescription-based rosacea treatment is frequently chosen by your dermatologist. The antibiotics contained in such prescriptions are aimed at lowering the level of inflammation in the skin. Often, an oral tetracycline regimen is prescribed in addition to the topical treatment. Tetracycline should never be used for prolonged periods since it can turn teeth yellow and cause gastrointestinal problems. Depending on how dry the skin is, either a creme with an antibiotic such as azelaic acid is prescribed or a topical gel with metronidazole.

Herbal-based Rosacea Treatments
Because rosacea is a chronic condition, many rosacea sufferers worry about the long-term side effects of their rosacea treatment. While all rosacea medications on the market today have been thoroughly tested in clinical trials for effectiveness and safety, not enough data is available about the long-term health effects of chronically using such medications. For instance, metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in certain lab animals. For these reasons, many rosacea sufferers ultimately start looking for alternative treatments.

Natural rosacea treatments have been available for at least 10 years now. Many of those treatments contain a blend of herbal extracts, which work synergistically to reduce the inflammation and often contain herbs that act as a natural anti-histamine. A good natural rosacea treatment should also have a calming effect on the skin and can often reduce the facial flushing by reducing the widening of the small blood vessels just underneath the skin.

Preservatives should also be considered when looking for a rosacea treatment. Since you will be applying the treatment on a daily basis for many years, consider the safety of preservatives that are used in the rosacea product. Parabens for example, have been shown to have some negative effects on people’s health due to the resemblance to estrogen.

Even when you have picked the best possible rosacea treatment based on the available information, there is always the possibility that it will not give the expected results. People react differently to various treatments, in particular to natural treatments, so it may take some time of trial-and-error to find the right rosacea treatment.

Tags: Antibiotics, Chronic Condition, Chronic Skin Condition, Clinical Trials, Daily Basis, Dermatologist, Gastrointestinal, Gastrointestinal Problems, Inflammation, Metronidazole, Prescription Medications, Prolonged Periods, Pustules, Red Blotchy Skin, Regimen, Rosacea Sufferers, rosacea treatment, Rosacea Treatments, Tetracycline, Topical Gel, Topical Treatment

Rosacea (pronounced Rose Ay sha) sufferers must be very frustrated people. They have to live with an extremely uncomfortable, embarrassing and disfiguring condition. Worst of all, when they visit a doctor for help, they are often given inappropriate medication which in many cases makes things much worse. Go to rosacea for more information.

How Does This Happen?

Before we look at how many doctors get it so wrong, let’s examine rosacea itself. There are two types of rosacea. Acne rosacea (which is an erroneous term as we shall see), and ocular rosacea. Sufferers of rosacea have red, flushed skin. Papules break out on their nose, forehead and cheeks. If they drink alcohol, eat hot or spicy food or increase their body temperature, they suffer severe flushing of the face. Their facial skin is usually dry and flaking.

What Is Ocular Rosacea?

60% of people who have rosacea develop similar problems affecting their eyes. This is called ocular rosacea. These people have dry, burning, red, sore eyes, and irritated eyelids, with frequent styes. They constantly feel as if there is something in their eye.

In severe cases there may be ulceration of the cornea – the clear layer of the eye, covering the iris and pupil. This is extremely painful, and if left untreated, may lead to perforation of the eye and blindness.

Treatment for ocular rosacea should involve daily cleansing of the eyelid with cotton buds, paying particular attention to the base of the lashes. It is there that debris and oily secretions gather. An antibiotic ointment can be used with caution, and continued if it is successful. The best treatment for ocular rosacea is tetracyclic antibiotics.

Ocular rosacea often includes dry eye syndrome. This can be helped with the insertion of artificial tears at least four times a day. If the dry eye is severe, the tear ducts may be closed with tiny silicone plugs. This is reversible. The other option is punctual cautery, which is a burning of the tear duct to close it. This is usually permanent.

Why Do Rosacea Sufferers Get The Wrong Treatment?

The common misconception is that rosacea of any kind is caused by abnormalities in the sebaceous glands and micro-organisms of the skin. The confusion arises because rosacea sufferers often have papules but they are not caused by the same things that cause acne papules. Rosacea papules arise as a result of repeated flushing of the skin. Acne can occur at the same time as rosacea, but the two are different conditions.

General physicians who believe that rosacea is a skin disease caused by bacteria often give their patients harsh medications (commonly benzyl peroxide) to clear facial micro-organisms, sebaceous glands and pores. This treatment would be suitable for true acne – but rosacea is not acne. It’s a disorder of the blood vessels of the face. In most rosacea sufferers, facial micro-organisms and sebaceous glands are completely normal, and that is where the danger lies. In giving these people harsh, skin ’stripping’ medications, their skin can become extremely sore and irritated.

Topical steroid creams that are indicated in the treatment of acne are often given to rosacea sufferers. These must not be used as they can make the skin very sensitive. Once the steroids are stopped, the skin may become even worse for a while as it is ‘withdrawing’ from the steroids. Visit rosacea for further information.

Tags: Acne Rosacea, Antibiotic Ointment, Artificial Tears, Burni, Cautery, Cornea, Cotton Buds, Dry Eye Syndrome, Facial Skin, Inappropriate Medication, Least Four Times, Ocular Rosacea, Red Sore Eyes, Rosacea Sufferers, Secretions, Silicone Plugs, Skin Problems, Spicy Food, Styes, Tear Ducts