Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects many people worldwide. The most common symptom is the appearance of small and red pus-filled bumps on your skin. You can visit an aesthetic clinic JB to treat your symptoms. This blog will further discuss the medical treatments that skin doctors use for rosacea.
You may notice symptoms on your forehead, cheeks, and nose. Flare-ups often occur in cycles, which mean that you are likely to experience symptoms for weeks or months before it reduces, only to return after some time. Doctors still have not identified exact causes; however, there has been proof of certain factors that might trigger these symptoms. At present, there is no complete cure for rosacea. Instead, your skin doctor can use specific methods to reduce the severity of symptoms.
What Are Types & Symptoms of Rosacea?
Rosacea has four subtypes. Each of them causes different sets of symptoms. Patients might experience symptoms of more than one subtype at the same time. Let’s discuss them further.
Subtype 1 or Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea (ETR)
These types of skin conditions cause the following symptoms
The centre of your face appears flushed and red
Sensitive skin
Swollen skin
Visibly broken blood vessels
Dry, rough, and scaly skin
Stinging and burning sensation on your skin
Subtype 2 or Papulopustular or Acne Rosacea
Patients who suffer from this condition can experience the following symptoms –
Very red skin with acne-like breakouts
Sensitive skin
Visibly broken blood vessels
Oily skin
Raised patches of skin
Subtype 3 or Rhinophyma
This form of skin concern can cause the following symptoms in patients –
The skin on the nose becomes thick
Your skin has a bumpy texture
Large pores
Visibly broken blood vessels
The skin on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and ears
Subtype 4 or Ocular Rosacea
Affected patients might experience the following symptoms
Burning and stinging sensation in the yes
Watery and bloodshot eyes
Eyes becoming sensitive to lights
Dry and itchy eyes
Visibly broken blood vessels on the eyelids
Reduced vision
Cysts on the eyes
What Are the Causes of Rosacea?
The exact causes of rosacea are still unknown. Some common factors responsible for causing this skin issue are an overactive immune system, environmental factors, heredity, etc. Poor hygiene doesn’t cause rosacea, and this skin condition is not contagious.
The following factors might trigger flare-ups. Let’s learn about them-
Consuming spicy foods or hot beverages
Exposure to sun and wind
Exposure to extreme temperatures
Consuming red wine or other alcoholic beverages
Exercise
Intake of drugs, including blood pressure medication that can dilate blood vessels
Application of certain cosmetic, hair, and skincare products
How to Prevent Rosacea Flare-Ups?
Now that you understand the possible factors that can cause rosacea flare-ups; let’s further learn how you can prevent them. At a skin clinic in Johor Bahru, your doctor might suggest the following tips to prevent flare-ups.
Control exposure to rosacea trigger elements
Sun exposure is one of the most common factors that can trigger rosacea flare-ups. However, as rosacea-prone skin is highly sensitive, a few minutes out in the sun or exposure to winds can cause skin redness and flushing. In this situation, you need to take extra care to reduce exposure to the sun.
For instance, avoid being outdoors when the sun is strongest, around mid morning to late afternoon. Further, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily when you are outside. Select a product with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide to get optimum protection. You may ask your skin doctor about the right sunscreen for your skin. In addition, wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your facial skin and neck from the sun as much as possible. Further, it is also better to wear sun-protective clothing.
Reduce stress
For some people, stress can also trigger rosacea flare-ups. Therefore, if you want to reduce the appearance of symptoms, it is critical to learn to manage your stress levels. It might not be possible for you to avoid stressful situations at the time. However, managing your reaction in those situations is within your control. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, etc., can help control your stress levels. Besides, you may participate in certain daily activities that help you relax and calm your mind.
Avoid overheating
Besides sun exposure, consuming hot beverages can also cause rosacea flare ups. Therefore, by avoiding exposure to various heat sources, you can reduce the possibility of experiencing symptoms. Further, it is better to wear clothes in layers. It will allow you to remove items whenever you feel a rise in your body temperature. You can also try and stay in an air-conditioned room to prevent flare-ups.
Besides, skin doctor Johor Bahru also suggests exercising in an air-conditioned or shaded room to avoid overheating your body. It is better to keep water and a towel nearby to keep yourself cool. Further, you can discuss with your skin doctor to understand what other steps you can take to keep your temperature normal when exercising.
Manage your diet
Knowing which food items can trigger your rosacea symptoms can help you reduce the frequency of your flare-ups. Most rosacea patients experience a severe worsening of their condition when consuming spicy foods.
The chemical capsaicin in spicy food such as chilli peppers, hot sauces, etc., can affect the pain receptors of your skin, causing redness. Besides, the chemical cinnamaldehyde responsible for the distinctive taste of cinnamon can also cause rosacea symptoms. This chemical is also found in tomatoes, citrus fruits, etc.
Follow a safe skincare routine
Following a safe skincare routine can help you manage rosacea flare-ups. Gentle skincare products such as cleansers, moisturizers, etc., are safe for patients with rosacea-prone skin. When choosing safe skincare products, you should consult your skin doctor. They can advise you on the right products based on your skin condition. Usually, skin doctors suggest patients with rosacea avoid using skin and hair products with alcohol, menthol, camphor, and sodium lauryl sulphate. The reason is that these ingredients can cause skin irritation.
How Skin Doctors in Johor Bahru Help Diagnose Rosacea?
If your dermatologist Johor Bahru suspects that you have rosacea, they will examine your skin and eyes. Besides, they might ask further questions to learn about the trigger that causes rosacea on your skin.
Further, for proper diagnosis, your skin doctor will try to rule out the possibility of other medical conditions. Sometimes, certain health conditions can cause symptoms similar to rosacea. No medical test can reveal whether you have rosacea. However, doctors might still perform medical tests to ensure that your symptoms are not related to conditions such as lupus or any form of allergic skin reaction.
They will discuss a suitable treatment plan with you based on their health evaluation. There is no cure for rosacea. However, skin doctors use various treatment methods to reduce the severity of rosacea symptoms. Further, these procedures aim to relieve your discomfort and prevent further worsening of your condition.
How Skin Doctors in Johor Bahru Help Treat Rosacea?
Taking a cue from the previous point, we would like to remind you that the treatment process for rosacea focuses on managing the symptoms. Your skin specialist in JB will develop a customized treatment plan based on your skin condition. Ideally, treatment of rosacea involves anti-inflammatory medications and laser therapy. Your skin doctor may advise intense pulsed light treatment for patients with visibly broken blood vessels to break apart damaged vessels to reduce skin redness. The duration of your rosacea treatment varies depending on the types and severity of symptoms. Recurrence of rosacea is common for patients.
Let’s discuss the various treatment methods your doctor might use to help reduce rosacea symptoms.
Medications
At present, various medications for rosacea are available. Depending on the signs and symptoms you are experiencing, your doctor will determine the type of medication you need. In some cases, they might try combinations of various prescription drugs to develop a treatment plan that is best suited for you. The following prescription drugs your skin doctor Johor Bahru might recommend to treat rosacea symptoms.
Topical medications to reduce flushing
If rosacea symptoms vary between mild and moderate, your skin doctor may recommend applying a topical cream or gel on the affected skin. Medications such as Brimonidine and oxymetazoline constrict blood vessels to reduce flushing. You may notice results about 12 hours after the intake of this medication. However, its effect is temporary; and hence, doctors might recommend consuming this medication regularly to maintain the results.
Besides, doctors might also recommend other topical products to manage the pimples of rosacea. These drugs include
Azelaic acid
Metronidazole
Ivermectin
For medication such as azelaic acid and metronidazole, patients may need to wait for two to six weeks to notice significant results. On the other hand, ivermectin might even take longer to improve your skin condition. In comparison to metronidazole, they help in longer remission.
Oral antibiotics
If you experience moderate to severe rosacea symptoms, your skin doctor might prescribe an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline.
Oral drugs for acne
If you experience severe rosacea symptoms where other therapies are not working, your doctor might recommend isotretinoin to clear the acne-like symptoms of rosacea. However, they do not prescribe it for pregnant women as it might lead to congenital disabilities.
Laser Therapy
Your dermatologist Johor Bahru will use laser treatment to reduce the number of visibly broken blood vessels that further helps reduce skin redness and flushing. Your doctor will perform a patch test to ensure that the laser treatment suits your skin. For this purpose, they will apply the laser on a small skin area and monitor other side effects (if any). Once they are sure that it is safe to use laser therapy for your rosacea symptoms, they will schedule further treatment sessions accordingly.
Your doctor uses a direct light beam of a specific wavelength on your skin during this treatment. Longer light wavelengths can effectively target deeper blood vessels, whereas shorter ones target superficial blood vessels. The treatment session may occur every 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the patients’ condition. After receiving the first three treatment sessions, most patients can notice a significant reduction in the visibility of blood vessels.
The results from laser treatment don’t last permanently. You may enjoy the benefits for a few years before setting up follow-up treatment appointments.
If you have any concerns about this treatment method, consult your doctor. They will explain to you the benefits and the possible side effects. They recommend applying ice and gentle skincare products on the treated skin as aftercare to support your recovery. You may need treatment regularly to maintain the results from laser treatment.
Who should not get laser treatment for rosacea?
Laser therapy might not be suitable for every patient and doctor will evaluate before recommending laser treatment. They are –
Patients who have high light sensitivity
Are prone to developing cold sores
Consume aspirin medications or blood thinners, as the laser treatment can increase the risk of bruising post-treatment
Consume acne medications containing isotretinoin, as it might further cause scarring or poor healing
Takeaway
You must inform your skin doctor about your existing medical conditions and the medications you consume for the same. It would help them determine a suitable treatment plan for you. Your dermatologist will consider your skin condition, physical symptoms, light sensitivity, and medical and family history to determine whether laser treatment is ideal. Further, they will also decide on the type of laser that is most beneficial for you. Otherwise, they might use a combination of other treatments to reduce your symptoms. Dermed Clinic is an aesthetic clinic JB that offers patients a wide range of skin and hair care treatments. They treat various skin conditions of cosmetic and aesthetic concern for patients. We can understand how concerned you might feel due to the visible symptoms of rosacea and the associated discomfort. If you suffer from rosacea, visit Dr Muniandi of Dermed Clinic for proper diagnosis and the needed treatment.
Dr. Muniandi Velayuthan is highly
qualified with over 10 years of experience in Aesthetic Medicine and Dermatology. Holding an MBBS
(Bgm) and a Diploma in Dermatology from Bangkok, he has further specialized as a Fellow in Cutaneous
and Laser Surgery in Bangkok. Dr. Velayuthan has honed his expertise working alongside pioneering
dermatologists at Dr. Subra Center for Skin Diseases and has been trained by renowned aesthetic
physicians, positioning him as a trusted professional in the field of aesthetics.