IV.  Treatment

Rosacea treatment is based on the infectious disease theory and involves the use of topical and oral antibiotics. Topical antibiotics (metronidazole (Flagyl) and sulfacetimide gels, lotions and creams, are the mainstay of therapy as they reduce the bacterial population of the skin. Oral antibiotics in the tetracycline class (doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline) or Erythromycin antibiotics are used in more advanced cases. The side effects of Rosacea such as rhinophyma (large bulbous nose) can be successfully treated with  surgical shaving or laser surgery, whereas the ophthalmologic complications need specialized care with an ophthalmologist (dry eye, conjunctivitis, red eye syndrome).

What about common skin creams that “fight redness,” or treat Rosacea? There is much anecdotal evidence in the patient community that certain products help the redness and flushing of early Rosacea, but really only topical and oral antibiotics and abstinence from the “trigger factors,” are effective for treatment in advanced cases.  I personally believe that some of our skin care products are very helpful early in the course of Rosacea.

While skin care products can help control or lessen some symptoms of rosacea, the best long-term treatment by far is non ablative no down-time laser treatments (Fotofacial). 

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