Battling Rosacea: How to Recognize and Treat the Common Skin Condition that Causes Redness, Bumps and Breakouts

2018-04-20T17:45:00

(BPT) – If you experience persistent facial redness, blushing, acne-like breakouts, visible blood vessels and or burning, itching or stinging on your face(1), it may be a chronic inflammatory skin condition called rosacea. An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea(2), yet many people don’t know their symptoms could be a sign of this common condition(2).

Rosacea may be easily mistaken as other skin conditions because it can masquerade as acne, sensitive skin or even look like a sunburn(3). While rosacea might be difficult to diagnose, the good news is that it is treatable, and clearer skin is possible(4).

Here are some tips and tricks to understand whether your skin woes may be rosacea — and how to manage this chronic condition:

• Understand the Symptoms: Rosacea tends to first appear after age 30(1) and typically starts with persistent facial redness and/or breakouts resembling pimples(1). Unlike acne, however, rosacea involves persistent redness and flushing and does not include blackheads(5). Rosacea can also cause the eyes to feel gritty or appear bloodshot(4).

• Look Out for Triggers: Rosacea can appear in reaction to everyday factors such as sun exposure, exercise, spicy foods, alcohol consumption or even hot/cold weather(6), so be sure to take notice of any patterns in symptoms.

• Investigate Your Skincare Regimen: Facial scrubs, cosmetics and some types of cleansers — particularly those with fragrance, alcohol or witch hazel – can also irritate the skin and trigger a flare up(7).

• Ask Your Dermatologist: There are proven options that a dermatologist can prescribe to get the symptoms of rosacea under control, including Soolantra(R) (ivermectin) Cream, 1 percent, a gentle yet powerful cream that in clinical trials was proven to start working in as little as two weeks to help reduce the inflammatory lesions of rosacea (bumps and blemishes).(8) Other options include Oracea(R) (doxycycline, USP) 40mg* Capsules, which target inflammation of rosacea from within and was not shown to contribute to antibiotic resistance in a 9 month study(9), and MIRVASO(R) (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33%**, a daily treatment that can reduce the persistent facial redness of rosacea quickly — often in as little as 30 minutes after use(10).

While rosacea can be overwhelming and stressful(11), it does not have to define you — there are effective treatments and practical resources ready for all those coping with the condition. For more information about triggers, skincare tips, treatment options and how to connect with a dermatologist, visit RosaceaRelief.com.

Important Safety Information for ORACEA(R) (doxycycline, USP) 40 mg* Capsules

Indication: ORACEA Capsules are indicated for the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adult patients. ORACEA Capsules do not lessen the facial redness caused by rosacea.

Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (>2 percent) in patients treated with ORACEA Capsules were nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, diarrhea, hypertension and aspartate aminotransferase increase.

Warnings/Precautions: ORACEA Capsules should not be used to treat or prevent infections. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken by patients who have a known hypersensitivity to doxycycline or other tetracyclines. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken during pregnancy, by nursing mothers, or during tooth development (up to the age of 8 years). Although photosensitivity was not observed in clinical trials, ORACEA Capsules patients should minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight. The efficacy of ORACEA Capsules treatment beyond 16 weeks and safety beyond 9 months have not been established.

*30 mg immediate release & 10 mg delayed release beads

Click here to view the full prescribing information for ORACEA Capsules.

Important Safety Information for SOOLANTRA(R) (ivermectin) Cream, 1 percent

Indication: SOOLANTRA Cream is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use.

Adverse Events: In clinical trials with SOOLANTRA Cream, the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≤ 1 percent) included skin burning sensation and skin irritation.

Click here to view the full prescribing information for SOOLANTRA Cream.

Important Safety Information for MIRVASO(R) (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33 percent**

Indication: MIRVASO Gel is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older.

Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1 percent) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation and contact dermatitis.

Warnings/Precautions: MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Alpha-2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of MIRVASO Gel by children have been reported. Keep MIRVASO Gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

**Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of brimonidine tartrate, equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base.

Click here to view full prescribing information for MIRVASO Gel.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.