Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding RosaceaTreatment OptionsWhich Is Best?Prevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Understanding Rosacea

Treatment Options

Which Is Best?

Prevention

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that typically affects the face, resulting in visibly irritated skin in the affected area.People of all skin tones can have rosacea.There are various treatment options to help control and reduce symptoms.Finding the right treatment depends on the type ofrosaceayou have and its severity.

Understanding these options can help you make an informed decision about which is best for you.

Rosacea is a chronic condition, meaning its effects are usually long-lasting.It develops gradually and may worsen if left untreated. Rosacea can affect people of all skin tones, but it’s most frequently reported in individuals with fair skin. It commonly arises after age 30.

There’s no cure for rosacea, and it can be frustrating to manage, but there are ways to manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups through various treatment options.

Each form of rosacea has unique symptoms.The four main types of rosacea are:

Overview of Types of RosaceaCommon symptomsRecommended treatmentETRPersistent change in coloration, including brown, red, or violet, in the central part of the face, visible blood vessels, flushingTopical treatments used alone or in combination, laser therapyPapulopustularRed or otherwise pigmented bumps, swelling, acne-like breakoutsCombination of topical and oral therapiesPhymatousThickened skin, especially around the nose, appearing swollen or bumpyOral antibiotics, laser therapyOcularRed, irritated eyes, dryness, swelling, styesOral and topical antibioticsCausesWhile its exact cause is not fully understood, research suggests the following factors may lead to rosacea:Environmental factors (such as sun exposure)GeneticsImmune system reactions (abnormal inflammation)Understanding what causes rosacea, recognizing its symptoms, and identifying your triggers can help you better manage flare-ups and work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs.SymptomsRosacea often starts with symptoms such as persistent facial redness, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead, or chin.Visible blood vessels, small red bumps, and skin thickening can develop over time.Those with lighter skin tones may notice facial redness, whereas skin may appear brown or violet in those with darker skin tones.Eye irritation, dryness, redness, and burning may occur with ocular rosacea. Rosacea symptoms can vary in intensity and may come and go in cycles.TriggersRosacea can flare up unexpectedly. The following triggers are known to worsen symptoms:AlcoholHarsh skin care productsHot or cold weatherSpicy foodsStressSun exposureIdentifying and avoiding your triggers can minimize flare-ups and help you maintain clearer skin.Treatment OptionsTreating rosacea often requires a combination of therapies tailored to your specific symptoms and type of rosacea to help manage flare-ups, reduce redness, and control inflammation.Topical treatments are often the first line of defense for managing mild to moderate rosacea. These medications help reduce redness, inflammation, and bumps and may include:Finacea (azelaic acid)Metrogel (metronidazole)Mirvaso (brimonidine)Rhofade (oxymetazoline)Soolantra (topical ivermectin)Oral medications are often prescribed for moderate to severe rosacea or for people who don’t respond well to topical treatments. Commonly used oral therapies include:Absorbica (isotretinoin), often used to treat painful, nodular acneAntibiotics (such as doxycycline and minocycline)Blood pressure–lowering medications (such asbeta-blockers)Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), which is used off-label to treat rosaceaFor advanced cases of phymatous rosacea, in which thickening of the skin occurs, interventions such asdermabrasion, electrosurgery, and other forms of surgery may be necessary.Laserand light therapies are also effective in reducing redness, visible blood vessels, and thickened skin.For those with mild symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) products such as gentle cleansers and moisturizers, as well as daily sunscreen use, can help soothe irritation and reduce flare-ups.Recent advancements in rosacea treatment, such as topical minocycline and oxymetolazone, focus on reducing inflammation and addressing the underlying immune system reactions that contribute to the condition.What Treatment Option Is Best?First-line therapy for mild to moderate rosacea includes:FinaceaLaser therapyMetrogelMirvasoSoolantraRestasis (topical cyclosporine) eye drops may be used to manage symptoms associated with mild ocular rosacea.The fastest-acting treatment for rosacea typically involves topical vasoconstrictors at low doses, such as Mirvaso.Laser treatments can also offer relatively quick improvements but may require multiple sessions.Doxycyclineat the subantimicrobial dose of 40 milligrams (mg) daily or 20 mg twice daily is the only approved systemic therapy for the treatment of rosacea.When treating more persistent symptoms, doxycycline may start to show results in a few days to a week, but full effects are usually seen after several weeks of consistent use.The most effective treatment for rosacea depends on the type of rosacea and severity of symptoms.PreventionWhile rosacea cannot be completely prevented, there are several steps you can take to minimize flare-ups and avoid worsening symptoms. Managing rosacea often involves identifying and avoiding triggers that cause or exacerbate your symptoms, as well as adopting skin care and lifestyle habits that help protect your skin, such as:Avoiding hot beverages (such as coffee and tea) and spicy foodsAvoiding warm environments and staying coolIdentifying and avoiding triggersLimiting alcoholManaging stressUsing gentle skin care productsBy avoiding triggers, adopting a gentle skin care routine, and being mindful of your environment, you can reduce the frequency and severity of rosacea flare-ups. Partnering with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized management plan is also key to long-term success.SummaryRosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps, primarily on the face. Factors like sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, or certain skin care products can trigger it. While there’s no cure, many treatments are available to manage symptoms.Treatment options include topical treatment options, oral therapies, and laser therapies to minimize symptoms. Rosacea is usually best managed with targeted treatment options and avoidance of triggers. Treatment options vary depending on the type, cause, and severity of the condition.Identifying and avoiding personal triggers, targeting symptoms, and working with a healthcare provider can help control rosacea and improve skin health.

Causes

While its exact cause is not fully understood, research suggests the following factors may lead to rosacea:

Understanding what causes rosacea, recognizing its symptoms, and identifying your triggers can help you better manage flare-ups and work with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs.

Symptoms

Rosacea often starts with symptoms such as persistent facial redness, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead, or chin.Visible blood vessels, small red bumps, and skin thickening can develop over time.

Those with lighter skin tones may notice facial redness, whereas skin may appear brown or violet in those with darker skin tones.

Eye irritation, dryness, redness, and burning may occur with ocular rosacea. Rosacea symptoms can vary in intensity and may come and go in cycles.

Triggers

Rosacea can flare up unexpectedly. The following triggers are known to worsen symptoms:

Identifying and avoiding your triggers can minimize flare-ups and help you maintain clearer skin.

Treating rosacea often requires a combination of therapies tailored to your specific symptoms and type of rosacea to help manage flare-ups, reduce redness, and control inflammation.

Topical treatments are often the first line of defense for managing mild to moderate rosacea. These medications help reduce redness, inflammation, and bumps and may include:

Oral medications are often prescribed for moderate to severe rosacea or for people who don’t respond well to topical treatments. Commonly used oral therapies include:

For advanced cases of phymatous rosacea, in which thickening of the skin occurs, interventions such asdermabrasion, electrosurgery, and other forms of surgery may be necessary.Laserand light therapies are also effective in reducing redness, visible blood vessels, and thickened skin.

For those with mild symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) products such as gentle cleansers and moisturizers, as well as daily sunscreen use, can help soothe irritation and reduce flare-ups.

Recent advancements in rosacea treatment, such as topical minocycline and oxymetolazone, focus on reducing inflammation and addressing the underlying immune system reactions that contribute to the condition.

What Treatment Option Is Best?

First-line therapy for mild to moderate rosacea includes:

Restasis (topical cyclosporine) eye drops may be used to manage symptoms associated with mild ocular rosacea.The fastest-acting treatment for rosacea typically involves topical vasoconstrictors at low doses, such as Mirvaso.

Laser treatments can also offer relatively quick improvements but may require multiple sessions.

Doxycyclineat the subantimicrobial dose of 40 milligrams (mg) daily or 20 mg twice daily is the only approved systemic therapy for the treatment of rosacea.When treating more persistent symptoms, doxycycline may start to show results in a few days to a week, but full effects are usually seen after several weeks of consistent use.

The most effective treatment for rosacea depends on the type of rosacea and severity of symptoms.

While rosacea cannot be completely prevented, there are several steps you can take to minimize flare-ups and avoid worsening symptoms. Managing rosacea often involves identifying and avoiding triggers that cause or exacerbate your symptoms, as well as adopting skin care and lifestyle habits that help protect your skin, such as:

By avoiding triggers, adopting a gentle skin care routine, and being mindful of your environment, you can reduce the frequency and severity of rosacea flare-ups. Partnering with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized management plan is also key to long-term success.

Summary

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps, primarily on the face. Factors like sun exposure, stress, spicy foods, or certain skin care products can trigger it. While there’s no cure, many treatments are available to manage symptoms.

Treatment options include topical treatment options, oral therapies, and laser therapies to minimize symptoms. Rosacea is usually best managed with targeted treatment options and avoidance of triggers. Treatment options vary depending on the type, cause, and severity of the condition.

Identifying and avoiding personal triggers, targeting symptoms, and working with a healthcare provider can help control rosacea and improve skin health.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: overview.van Zuuren EJ.Rosacea.New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377(18):1754-64. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1506630MedlinePlus.Rosacea.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr. 2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004Shanler SD, Ondo AL.Successful treatment of the erythema and flushing of rosacea using a topically applied selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, oxymetazoline.Arch Dermatol.2007;143(11):1369–1371. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.11.1369Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, et al.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent rosacea flare-ups.Oge LK, Muncie HL, Phillips-Savoy AR.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(3):187-96.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Mirvaso.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: overview.van Zuuren EJ.Rosacea.New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377(18):1754-64. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1506630MedlinePlus.Rosacea.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr. 2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004Shanler SD, Ondo AL.Successful treatment of the erythema and flushing of rosacea using a topically applied selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, oxymetazoline.Arch Dermatol.2007;143(11):1369–1371. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.11.1369Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, et al.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent rosacea flare-ups.Oge LK, Muncie HL, Phillips-Savoy AR.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(3):187-96.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Mirvaso.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: overview.van Zuuren EJ.Rosacea.New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377(18):1754-64. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1506630MedlinePlus.Rosacea.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr. 2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004Shanler SD, Ondo AL.Successful treatment of the erythema and flushing of rosacea using a topically applied selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, oxymetazoline.Arch Dermatol.2007;143(11):1369–1371. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.11.1369Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, et al.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent rosacea flare-ups.Oge LK, Muncie HL, Phillips-Savoy AR.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(3):187-96.Prescribers' Digital Reference.Mirvaso.

American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: overview.

van Zuuren EJ.Rosacea.New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377(18):1754-64. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1506630

MedlinePlus.Rosacea.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Rosacea.

Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr. 2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004

Shanler SD, Ondo AL.Successful treatment of the erythema and flushing of rosacea using a topically applied selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, oxymetazoline.Arch Dermatol.2007;143(11):1369–1371. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.11.1369

Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, et al.Rosacea treatment: review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0

American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent rosacea flare-ups.

Oge LK, Muncie HL, Phillips-Savoy AR.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(3):187-96.

Prescribers' Digital Reference.Mirvaso.

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