Are there over the counter treatments for Rosacea?

All effective treatments either require a prescription or must be administered by a physician. Over-the-counter medications, especially those for acne can be a hazard; they can irritate the skin of rosacea.





While there is no cure for rosacea and the cause is unknown, medical therapy is available to control or reverse its signs and symptoms.





Rosacea (pronounced ';roh-ZAY-sha';) is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Many have observed that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness becomes ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue. This is the condition, called rhinophyma (pronounced ';rhi-no-FY-muh';), that gave the late comedian W.C. Fields his trademark bulbous nose. In many rosacea patients, the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot.





Various oral and topical medications may be prescribed to treat the bumps, pimples and redness often associated with the disorder. Dermatologists usually prescribe initial treatment with oral antibiotics and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, followed by long-term use of the topical therapy alone to maintain remission.





When appropriate, treatments with lasers, intense pulsed light sources or other medical and surgical devices may be used to remove visible blood vessels, reduce extensive redness or correct disfigurement of the nose. Ocular (eye) rosacea may be treated with oral antibiotics and other therapy.





Treatment involves both oral and topical medicines. Oral antibiotics (such as tetracycline) are commonly prescribed; the dose may be initially high and then be tapered to maintenance levels.





A topical (skin) antibiotic cream such as metronidazole (Metrocream) is useful to reduces the inflammation and the redness. Other topical antibiotic creams include erythomycin and clindamycin (Cleocin).





Short-term topical cortisone (steroid) preparations of the right strength may also be used to reduce local inflammation. Some doctors are trying tretinoin (Retin-A) or isotretoin (Accutane), prescription medications also used for acne, or permethrin (Elimite) cream, which is used for the mites that cause scabies.





Rubbing the face tends to irritate the reddened skin. Some cosmetics and hair sprays may also aggravate redness and swelling.





Facial products such as soap, moisturizers and sunscreens should be free of alcohol or other irritating ingredients. Moisturizers should be applied very gently after any topical medication has dried. When going outdoors, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are needed.





See the websites for more info. Be well.





Rick the Pharmacist

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