April is Rosacea Awareness Month!

Rosacea is defined as a skin condition that causes redness to the face and at times pus-filled bumps. It most commonly affects fair-skinned patients and is usually a chronic and life-long condition without a cure – however, there can be different ways to avoid triggers and medications to control your symptoms. 

The most common complaint is redness to the face. The most common triggers include stress, extreme heat/cold, sun exposure, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, certain foods like tomatoes or spicy foods. It is best to monitor your daily activities and diet to find your triggers of rosacea and try to avoid these situations as much as possible. If your symptoms continue to affect your daily life, which is common, your provider may prescribe you topicals such as brimonidine gel and oxymetazoline cream can be used to help treat the appearance of your redness. 

If you experience redness along with pus-filled bumps, it is best to speak with your provider about different topical as well as oral medications that can help alleviate your symptoms. Most commonly treatments like topical metronidazole, azaleic acid, and ivermectin can help your symptoms as well as oral doxycycline. If you continuously experience visible blood vessels or develop thickening of the skin, some lasers can improve the appearance and undergoing reconstructive surgery is a more invasive approach.

Other methods to improve your rosacea symptoms include wearing SPF daily to protect your skin from sun exposure as well as avoid skin irritants/fragrances, green-base moisturizers, and concealers/foundations/powders to help conceal redness and pimples. 

If you are one of the many people who struggle with facial redness and pimples caused by your rosacea, talk with your dermatology provider to discuss the right treatment plan for you and alleviate your rosy cheek struggles.