Rosacea is a red facial rash that most often affects those aged 30 to
60, especially those with fair skin, blue eyes and of Celtic origin. It
may be transient, recurrent or persistent. (The image is from Fitzpatrick's Handbook)
Rosacea used to be called ‘acne rosacea’ but it is quite different from acne. There are
red spots (papules) and sometimes pustules in both conditions, but in
rosacea they are dome-shaped rather than pointed and there are no
blackheads, whiteheads, deep cysts, or lumps. Rosacea may also result in
reddened skin, scaling and swelling of affected areas.
You can read more at DermNet.org.nz.
or the the Rosacea Factsheet (Printable Version):
Only the patient can decide how much rosacea affects her or him. For the more serious cases, oral therapy is quicker and more predictable. While there is no cure for rosacea, it can be controlled in most persons with therapies that are not too onerous or expensive. Oral antibiotics are more successful for the acne-like lesions of rosacea than the erythema (redness).
Triggers can exacerbate your rosacea should be identified and avoided if possible. These factors are unique to each patient and include:
Hot or cold temperatures
Wind
Hot drinks
Caffeine
Exercise
Spicy food
Alcohol
Emotions
Topical products that irritate the skin
Medications that cause flushing (such as niacin)
Remember that not all of these will be triggers in your case, but some may play a role and can, perhaps, be avoided.
Treatment
General Measures
* Where possible, reduce factors causing facial flushing (see Triggers)
* Avoid oil-based facial creams. Use water-based make-up
* Never apply a topical steroid to rosacea
* Use light oil-free facial sunscreen
* If possible eep your face cool
* Minimize your exposure to hot or spicy foods, alcohol, hot showers and baths and warm rooms if you think these are triggers.
Oral Antibiotics
This is the mainstay for patients with acne-like lesions. The most effective are doxycycline and minocycline.
Doxycycline can cause a bad sunburn and is used during the winter months
Minocycline does not cause sunburn but can stain teeth if taken for more than six months at a time. It is used during the summer.
After the rosacea improves the dose can be tapered slowly to find the lowest maintenance level.
Topical Therapy
Metronidazole is the only agent which has been proven effective by multiple clinical studies. It is available in 0.75% (used 2 times a day) and 1% strengths (used once a day). Here's a good overview of topical therapy for rosacea.
Basic Skin Care
Wikipedia has a good page on helpful skin care suggestions fro persons with rosacea. It does not appear to have commercial bias.
