Treating Rosacea
Find out more about options for treating rosacea

Rosacea - Symptoms
Rosacea may cause sensitivity or burning in the skin before other, more noticeable symptoms have the chance to occur. As rosacea develops, a redness resembling slight sunburn may linger. Main symptoms of rosacea include facial redness and flushing triggered by sun exposure or alcohol. These stimulate blood vessels to expand and redness to appear. Facial redness may occur on the nose and cheeks. Sometimes, pimples on the face may also show up on the reddish areas of the skin. These pimples are red round bumps and are different from acne pimples. Red lines on the face may also accompany rosacea. These lines often resemble spider webs and appear on the cheeks. Swollen bumps on the nose may also appear. Finally, eye irritation including redness, drying, burning, tearing, pinkeye, and swelling in the eyelid may also be caused by rosacea.
Rosacea - Home Treatment
You can do several things to help curb the symptoms of rosacea. For instance, for skin care, always use soaps, lotions, and cosmetics made for sensitive skin that do not contain alcohol, are not abrasive, and will not clog pores. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face.
Using sunscreen and protecting your face from sun exposure is also important. Every day, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The sunscreen should block UVA, UVB, and infrared rays and should be rated at least SPF 15 or higher. Although it is hard to find a sunscreen that doesn’t irritate your skin, it's important to look for the right protection for your skin.
For irritating and burning eyes, apply warm compresses several times a day, and gently wash your eyelids with a product made for the eyes. Use artificial tears if your eyes feel dry.
Pay close attention to things that may trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms by making a list or keep a diary of potential triggers when you have a flare-up.

Rosacea Treatments
For moderate to severe cases of rosacea, surgery might help. Surgery may be used to help treat severe bumps on the nose, thin red lines, or general redness.

Keep in mind that certain types of skin problems respond better to surgery than others. People with lighter skin who limit time in the sun tend to have better results than people who spend lots of time in the sun.
Surgery Options
Laser resurfacing is one option—this surgery removes layers of skin and may help with an enlarged nose; small, red lines; or lingering redness.
Dermabrasion is an option that helps smooth the rough skin and bumps from the nose caused by rhinophyma.
Cosmetic surgery may help reshape a nose damaged by rosacea.
Remember: You may not be a good candidate for surgery if you are using isotretinoin or have used it within the last 6 to 12 months. This may increase risk of scarring.