Treatment applied to the skin
Patients with mild rosacea usually respond well to topical treatments. These include antibiotics (metronidazole and clindamycin gel and lotions) and vitamin A derived creams or gels (adapalene and tretinoin).
Oral Antibiotics
In more severe cases, a course of oral antibiotics (usually doxycycline or erythromycin) may be prescribed to control symptoms. These oral antibiotics may exert an anti-inflammatory effect and are usually taken for several months. However, repeated courses may be necessary for patients with frequent recurrences.
Isotretinoin
In patients unresponsive to oral antibiotics, oral isotretinoin may be prescribed with good result. Adverse effects of isotretinoin include dry lips and skin, muscle aches, hair loss, abnormal liver function tests, raised lipids, muscle inflammation and depression. Female patients should not become pregnant while on therapy as oral isotretinoin can affect the developing foetus.
Laser and Light Therapies
The Pulsed Dye Laser machine can be useful in reducing persistent
redness and treating the prominent blood vessels of rosacea. For patients with
an enlarged swollen nose (rhinophyma), carbon dioxide lasers can be used to
reduce the thickness of the skin