What You Should Know About Treating Rosacea with Medicines

Rosacea definitely will not kill you but the condition can cause you a lot of emotional distress and embarrassment. For some, the psychological impact can be damaging. Rosacea can be the reason for the loss of self-esteem and sometimes even withdrawal from society. There is currently no cure for the condition yet, but there are medicines that can help you ease the symptoms of rosacea. Here are some points for you to consider when taking medication for rosacea.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are often prescribed for rosacea to reduce inflammation. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be asked to take only one of either topical or oral antibiotics. In a lot of cases, both types of antibiotics are recommended. Oral antibiotics tend to work more quickly than their topical counterparts because they are taken directly into the body’s system. Topical antibiotics though, boost the effects of oral antibiotics and are often best used when the condition is well under control. Examples of antibiotics for rosacea are clindamycin, erythromycin, doxycycline and minocycline.

Other Treatments

Aside from antibiotics, other topical applications or medicines may be prescribed for rosacea. Here are some possible treatment options:

• Benzoyl peroxide- This is actually an antibacterial topical cream used specifically for acne. It may however, also help reduce the symptoms of rosacea. Using this medication typically results in skin dryness.

• Isotretinoin- This medication is for cystic acne but it has also been used for severe cases of rosacea. It has a drying effect on the skin that can help eliminate the appearance of skin thickness common among individuals with severe symptoms. It should be noted though that this is a very strong type of medication and may have severe side effects especially for women who become pregnant during or some time after treatment.

• Glycolic acid- This may come in the form of creams and peels. When applied on the skin, it will help reduce the external layer.

Treatment Facts

If you are considering treatment for rosacea or are actually already under treatment, you should take note of a couple of important treatment facts:

• It is reasonable to think that you may have rosacea as soon as persistent blushing occurs. If you think you have the condition, considers seeing a dermatologist as soon as possible. Rosacea is often easily treated at its early stages.

• Depending on your condition, your doctor may ask you to use more than one form of medication. You may have to take both antibiotics and topical treatments. On top of these, he may also recommend self-care products like moisturizers and sunscreen.

• Aside from self-care products, you may also have to learn self-care procedures. You may have to avoid certain triggers such as too much sun exposure, certain foods or beverages and some skin products.

• You can’t just get rid of your symptoms immediately. You may have to wait for two months or so before you see good results. Your doctor may also recommend the maintenance of some treatment products to continuously control the symptoms.