It is known that rosacea is a problem that can not be cured but it is also known that same treatments are available for controlling it. Symptoms vary from time to time and from person to person and that is why the treatment must be prescribed after knowing the subtype and the severity of rosacea. Depending on each case the treatment might include topical antibiotics, other topical preparations, oral antibiotics, laser therapy or plastic surgery. In cases when rosacea affects the eyes, treatment might include recommendations from an eye doctor.

Treatments for rosacea want to control the flare-up, to prevent or decrease its progression and to improve the appearance of the skin. In some cases, several months of treatment are necessary in order to improve the appearance of the skin or to prevent the progression of the flare. More than that at the beginning of the treatment, antibiotics might lead to a worsening of the facial redness. In many cases laser therapy is used for eliminating widened blood vessels from under the skin and surgery is used for the removal of the thickened skin. These interventions usually lead to bruising or swelling that may take several days to disappear.

In most of the cases rosacea is treated with combinations of prescribed drugs. A topical product will be applied on the affected areas. Oral medications will also be administrated and along with topical medication it will help in reducing the inflammation and controlling microorganisms that may be involved with the flare-up. When the flare-up is under control, oral antibiotics are usually discontinued. Topical treatment will be applied for a longer period in order to prevent recurrence.

Among the topical treatments we have to remember the three approved topical products which are metronidazole, azaleic acid and sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur. These topical preparations may come in a variety of forms including creams, gels, ointments or solutions are applied directly on the affected areas of the skin. These medications are not the only ones used for treating rosacea. We also know that topical tretinoin, a vitamin A derivate, which is not an antibiotic, is used to reduce rosacea papules and pustules.

Oral treatments are usually administrated for a shorter period than topical antibiotics. These short time treatments including azithromycin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline or tetracycline are prescribed for controlling the flare-up. It was proved that these oral treatments are more effective than topical antibiotics but a long-term treatment might lead to some side effects.

Along with the mentioned oral drugs there are prescribed some other medicines too. Isotretinoin, is also used in treating rosacea. Mainly, this treatment is used for treating teen acne but night also help in clearing rosacea papules and pustules.

Laser therapy is used for the removal of tiny broken blood vessels in the skin or in reducing red bumps or skin thickening.

Plastic surgery is not common as the other ways of treating rosacea. This method is recommended for persons whose skin is thickened seriously.