Rosacea Treatment in in Pittsburgh, PA

Many people assume that their face is naturally more red than others, when in fact, it could be due to rosacea. This skin condition affects over 16 million Americans and is becoming even more widespread with approximately three million new cases each year.

If you are having trouble managing facial redness and are seeking treatment, contact our dermatology clinic in Pittsburgh, PA, for the diagnosis of your condition and the treatment options available. Schedule your consultation for rosacea treatment with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ana Busquets today.

Symptoms & Causes of Rosacea

While rosacea can occur in anyone, it is most commonly seen in middle-aged women. Most people who suffer from this condition have one, or a combination of the following symptoms:

Redness

This is by far the most common symptom. The blood vessels in the middle of the nose and face become swollen and visible, causing redness.

Swollen Bumps

Pimples that resemble acne can develop around the areas of redness. Just like acne, the pimples can feel hot and tender.

Eye Issues

Many people don’t know that rosacea can affect the eyes. Suffers often exhibit eye dryness, irritation, redness, and swelling of the eyelids.

Enlarged Nose

Occurring more in men than in women, the bridge of the nose can appear bulbous because of the thickening of the skin.
While no one knows exactly what causes rosacea, evidence suggests that it is hereditary. The condition tends to affect people between the ages of 30 and 50 and is seen more in those with fair skin. Environmental factors also appear to have an effect on the severity of symptoms. The following things may make symptoms worse:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Hot or spicy food
• Large amounts of caffeine
• Direct sunlight, humidity, or extreme temperatures
• Stress and anxiety
• Exercise

Types of Rosacea

Rosacea is most commonly seen around the nose and cheeks, but symptoms can spread to other areas of the face, and even reach as far as the chest and back. Since cases of Rosacea can vary in terms of symptoms, the condition is categorized into four subtypes:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea -Redness, flushing, visible blood vessels.
• Papulopustular rosacea – Redness, facial swelling, breakouts that look like acne.
• Phymatous rosacea – The skin thickens and develops a bumpy texture.
• Ocular rosacea – Eyes become affected. Eyes can appear red and eyelids become swollen.

Rosacea Treatment Options

A dermatologist will be able to determine if a patient has rosacea with a simple skin exam. Once diagnosed, rosacea is most often controlled with medication, cosmetic procedure, or a combination of the two.

Medication

In many cases, an oral or topical prescription will be prescribed to bring the condition under control. If these options work, most are safe to use long-term in order to keep symptoms from returning. The most common types of medication include:

• Topical cream – Topical creams are applied, usually, twice a day, to reduce inflammation and control redness.
• Antibiotics – Many times, oral antibiotics are prescribed over topical treatments because they yield faster results.
• Accutane – Reserved for severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, this drug reduces the production of oil in the facial area.
• Tetracycline – For patients who are having symptoms that affect their eyes, tetracyclines can help reduce symptoms.

Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic procedures are recommended when previous types of treatment aren’t taking care of symptoms, or for patients with severe cases. The most common cosmetic procedures include:

• Laser treatment – When patients have visible blood vessels, a dermatologist may use laser treatment to shrink them, thus reducing their appearance.
• Plastic surgery – When skin becomes thickened and creates an unnaturally round appearance, a patient may be referred to a plastic surgeon to have the excess tissue surgically removed.