If attempting to manage your triggers has left you frustrated unsatisfied, you are not alone. For many sufferers of rosacea this approach to treatment is at most a ‘stop gap’, and many times proves insufficient.
But don’t give up! There are a couple of other options you might consider:
There are various medical treatment options also available to help manage your rosacea. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find out whether any of them are the right treatment option for you. Medications used for the treatment of rosacea include:
| How it works | Side Effects | |
|---|---|---|
| Topical (applied to the skin) medications | ||
| Brimonidine topical gel | Constricts the blood vessels in the skin, which then reduces the redness of rosacea | Common side effects include redness, itching, flushing and skin burning sensation |
| Metronidazole topical gel, cream, and lotion | Reduces the inflammatory lesions of rosacea by reducing inflammation and/or by killing bacteria. | Some common side effects related to metronidazole were skin redness, burning/stinging, hypersensitivity, skin irritation, dry skin, itching, rosacea worsening. |
| Azelaic acid gel | Reduces the redness and swelling of rosacea. | Common side effects include burning/stinging or itching sensations, reddening, skin dryness and scaling. |
| Oral (taken by mouth) medications | ||
| Doxycycline monohydrate | Anti-inflammatory properties reduce the bumps and pimples caused by rosacea. | Common side effects include diarrhea, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. |
The use of lasers or intense pulsed light therapy can sometimes reduce visible blood vessels and severe background redness. Be aware that these sessions can be costly, and several are typically required (with ongoing touch-ups) for satisfactory results.