BYZANCE - Conditions: Rosacea

Rosacea can be broken down into three subtypes

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea causes facial redness and visible blood vessels on your cheeks or nose.
Papulopustular rosacea causes bumps, pimples, or pus-filled sacs on your cheeks or chin area.
Phymatous rosacea causes thickening of the skin on your nose or eyelids due to excess growth of tissue called granulation tissue; this type of growth can cause disfigurement if left untreated over time

Finding out your triggers & avoiding them

Anything that causes your rosacea to flare up are your triggers. You can keep a note of every time you get it, this will help you find out what causes it to flare up so that you can avoid it in future.

Common triggers are:

Sunlight
Stress
Heat
Hot beverages
Alcohol, especially red wine
Spicy foods
Wind and cold
Certain medicines
Exercise
Avoiding the known triggers is half the work done!

Skin Care

While you might need active management with creams and oral medication prescribed by your dermatologist, basic skin care at home also helps your skin a lot. Here are some tips to keep your skin healthy:

- Wash your face twice with gentle soap free cleanser

- Avoid hot water, lukewarm water is preferred

- Always pat dry your face, never rub towel on your face

Moisturize

Whether you have dry, oily or sensitive skin, it’s important to moisturize.

Moisturizing helps hydrate your skin by trapping water in your skin. This can reduce irritation and make your skin feel more comfortable.

A dermatologist can help you choose the correct moisturizer that suits you.

Studies show that applying a rosacea friendly moisturizer or barrier repair cream can also improve the results you see from treatment.

Sun Protection

Finding a sunscreen that won’t irritate your sensitive skin can be a challenge. Dermatologists recommend that you look for a sunscreen with:

Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both (physical sunscreen)
Silicone (may be listed as dimethicone, or cyclomethicone, or cyclomethicone)
No fragrance (label may say “fragrance free,” but if it says “unscented” choose another sunscreen)
Broad-spectrum protection ( protection against UVA and UVB)
SPF 30 or higher

Sunscreen is a must-have when you are outdoors, especially during the summer. UVA rays can penetrate through windows, so you should apply sunscreen even indoors. It's important to reapply it regularly—ideally every 3 to 4 hours and more frequently if you are in water or sweating excessively.

As dermatologists, we are here to hold your hand through waxing and waning episodes of your rosacea.

Patients with rosacea can benefit from oral antibiotics, retinoids and anti-inflammatory medicines to help the symptoms of their condition.

Topical prescription formulations can help with the symptoms of rosacea. These include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory creams/gels.

Lasers can also be used to diminish dilated blood vessels and help ease rosacea.