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NYC Dermatology Board
Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Gary Rothfeld Manhattan, New York 
Rosacea Managing Embarrassing Facial Flushing & Redness What is Rosacea? Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha), is a common inflammatory
skin condition that usually only affects the face and eyes. Characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels, Rosacea
is more common in fair-skinned people. It is often mistaken for adult
acne. Common
Rosacea Symptoms: Rosacea causes a range of symptoms that
may include - Redness,
- Uncontrollable blushing
- Swelling
- Visible blood vessels
- Bumps or pimple-like blemishes
- Skin thickening and enlargement of the nose (mostly in men)
People who have Rosacea usually experience periods of flare-ups and periods of remission (the decrease or disappearance
of symptoms). There is often a "butterfly" pattern that is detectable on the face.
Although Rosacea is not life threatening, even mild symptoms can have a negative effect on quality of
life. In recent surveys by the National Rosacea Society, nearly |
70% of Rosacea patients said this condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem, and
41% said it had caused them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements. | There is no cure, but
medical care is available to treat this inflammatory disorder, and help you get your life back to normal. Dr. Rothfeld has
established a successful Rosacea management program which incorporates all the reco-gnized methods
of effectively controlling and lessening symptoms. More difficult Acne Rosacea may be treated through PhotoDynamic Therapy |
What causes Rosacea? The cause of Rosacea is unknown. An estimated 14 million
people in the US have Rosacea. Proper treatment by a
caring dermatologist will help you manage your Rosacea. Knowing your Rosacea "triggers" and proper skin care goes
a long way toward having skin that is calmer and less reactive. Ocular (Eye)
Rosacea About 50% of Rosacea suffers have eye symptoms which may include: - redness
- burning
- tearing
- inflamed eyelids
- sensation of a foreign object in the eye
Medical Management of Rosacea There are a multitude of Rosacea "triggers". From food to
stress, it is integral to your treatment success to learn your triggers and do what you can to avoid them. Treatment combinations may include oral and topical medica- |
tions
and Vbeam vascular laser which Dr. Rothfeld finds very effective to target specific small broken vessels. Most Rosacea patients need combination therapies for the most effective results. New oral medications are now available
which are proving to be very helpful. Rosacea which is left untreated can cause irreversible skin thickening and disfigurement. Basic Rosacea Treatment: - Topical antibiotic treatment.
- Oral
or topical retinoid therapy
- Azelaic acid or
Metrogel
- Oral Rosacea medication (Oracea)
- Sunscreen - Important!
Avoid These Topical Skin Treatments Topical steroids are used to reduce inflammation in a variety of skin disorders. They are not
generally the best choice for Rosacea treatment, however. Topical steroids actually make many people's Rosacea worse.
Most topical steroids are only available by prescription, but some less potent products are available over the counter. Unless
recommended by your health professional, avoid using them. Remember Rosacea is not acne.
Benzoyl peroxide, the ingredient found in most acne creams, should also be avoided as it can aggravate the condition. Practical Makeup Tips Masking the redness of
Rosacea is no small matter for women. Green tinted moisturizers and color-corrective mineral makeup are helpful in neutralizing
and camouflaging excessive redness.
Chronic skin condition that causes redness and swelling of the face that can also affect the scalp, neck, ears,
chest, and back. Eye symptoms ( ocular rosacea) are also reported by half of people with rosacea. Those afflicted
with rosacea may first notice a tendency to flush or blush easily. The condition progresses to persistent redness, pimples,
and visible, threadlike blood vessels (telangiectasias) in the center of the face. These skin changes can eventually spread
to the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose.  Rosacea occurs most commonly in people 30 to 50 years of age. Although women have rosacea more commonly than men, men tend
to suffer more severe forms.
The cause of rosacea remains unknown, though it appears to involve a combination of genetics
and environmental factors. It is not contagious. Rosacea, also called acne rosacea, is different from the acne common
in teenagers called acne vulgaris.
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