Rosacea is a chronic condition that requires early diagnosis and treatment to minimize the impact of the disease both physically and psychologically.  As there is no cure for rosacea, treatment requires commitment by patient and physician to effectively manage the symptoms.  Comprehensive care offered by ACC often involves one or more of the following: identifying and avoiding environmental triggers, prescription topical and/or oral therapy, adjunctive skin care treatment and procedures.

Environmental triggers

Rosacea triggers are factors that may cause a rosacea sufferer to experience a flare-up - a more intense outbreak of redness, bumps or pimples. Anything that causes your skin to flush or raises your blood pressure can be a potential trigger.

Sun, heat, humidity, cold, and wind can all trigger a rosacea flare-up.

Food and Drink

Food and drink can affect rosacea symptoms.

• Hot soup and hot drinks, such coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, mulled wine
• Alcohol – especially red wine, beer, vodka, gin, bourbon, champagne
• Chocolate
• Spinach
• Certain Citrus fruits*
• Certain Dairy products*, such as cheese, yogurt, sour cream
• Avocado
• Eggplant
• Liver
• Vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Hot spices, such as white or black pepper paprika, red pepper and cayenne

Not all these triggers cause a flare in every patient so the first step is to identify which triggers can cause a flare.  Avoidance of those triggers will greatly enhance the success of any treatment regimen.

Prescription drugs

The treatments that are recommended by ACC will depend on the specific symptoms you have.
Various oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat the bumps, pimples and redness often associated with rosacea.
Antibiotics- Rosacea medication is most often antibiotics, which can be taken in pill or capsule form (oral), or applied to the affected skin (topical) to improve rosacea flare-ups / symptoms.
Topical Steroids – Prescription and Non-Prescription These are occasionally used on a short-term basis to help control the redness. It is important to note that long-term use of steroids for rosacea should be avoided.

Procedures

When appropriate, other treatments, such as laser, dermabrasion or other surgical treatments, may be used by ACC to remove visible blood vessels, reduce extensive redness or correct disfigurement of the nose.

Skincare

In addition to medication, following a gentle skin care routine can also be used to help manage the effects of rosacea.

Gently cleanse skin

Everyday soaps and cleansers may be too harsh for rosacea-prone skin, causing dryness and irritation. Use a gentle skin cleanser that is non-irritating, soap-free, oil-free and fragrance-free. Apply cleanser gently with fingers. Rinse with plenty of lukewarm water and blot dry gently with a soft towel--do not rub your face.

Moisturize & protect

Rosacea can cause dryness, upsetting the skin’s protective barrier. To help restore moisture without causing irritation, apply a water-based moisturizer as needed. Make sure it is fragrance-free and is non-comedogenic (which means it won't clog your pores). For year round protection from the sun choose a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen.