Monday, January 7, 2013

How To Treat Rosacea Successfully

Rosacea is a health issue that is characterized by reddish colored facial skin or facial erythema.  Pimples often occur with rosacea as well.  Unless rosacea affects the eyes, it is a relatively harmless condition, the symptoms of which are cosmetic.  Be that as it may, it can be a source of significant psychological suffering and anxiety for those who endure it.  The good news is that there are different treatment possibilities to tackle this problem.
Image Source: Wikipedia.org

Oral antibiotics are prescribed fairly regularly to patients suffering from rosacea.  The reason for this is that antibiotics work to reduce the inflammation that is associated with rosacea.  The treatment is also aimed at reducing the occurrence of pimples.  When the condition is only in its mild stages, antibiotics may be the answer.  Some oral treatments include doxycycline and minocycline.  Because long-term antibiotic use is dangerous, this is a temporary solution.

Other than antibiotics, topical treatments are also good in controlling rosacea.  Metronidazole, an antibiotic topical medication, contains antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory properties.  This treatment has found success with not just mild cases but also severe cases of rosacea.  Azelaic acid is another topical treatment that is known to result in reduced pimples and swelling on the face.  These topical ointments are generally applied at home up to twice daily, depending on the doctor's recommendation.

Before appliing the medication, use sulfa-based cleansers to clean your face.  Facial wash products with benzoyl peroxide, such as Clearasil, are also effective.  Cleansing products such as these are gentle, yet effective at soothing skin afflicted with rosacea.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-received remedy for treating rosacea.  PDT has been used effectively for eliminating severe cases of acne; and is now gaining ground as a tool against rosacea.  For this procedure, a professional applies a topical sensitizer liquid to the affected skin followed by a light to activate it.  This procedure generally takes about an hour or two.
For about three days patients are required to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.  While this may be a little inconvenient, the results are almost immediate in cases where the procedure has been successful.  Many patients have benefited from this treatment option, though specific results vary.
Laser treatment can also be used in conjunction with PDT.  Laser treatment helps to reduce the pimples and reddish coloring that comes with rosacea.  The cost of laser treatments is going down, but because they are categorized as cosmetic procedures, they are still not benefits under the majority of insurance plans.

The doctor will tell the patient how many sessions are needed to get results.  The number of sessions varies from patient to patient, according to gender, age, skin color, and severity of the condition.  Skin specialists are also the best people to explain the possible side effects that laser treatments may cause.
Treating rosacea is a matter of perseverance and patience, so it will affect the person's lifestyle somewhat.  At home some discipline is required in maintaining regular skin care through cleansing, hydrating, and treatment, if at-home approaches are selected.  Outdoors, sun protection is a must.
A diagnoses of rosacea is not a death sentence.  Even so, sufferers of rosacea want to find remedies that are safe and work well, because the condition can interfere with their self-confidence and quality of life.  Fortunately, continued advances in science and medical technology means that a range of treatment options is available to hopefully end the battle with rosacea for good.

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