New research suggests that, for some rosacea sufferers, the condition may be linked to their gut.¹

In a small pilot study published as a letter in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, about half of 63 rosacea patients also had small intestinal bacteria overgrowth, or SIBO. After localized treatment for SIBO, 46 percent of these patients reported marked improvement of their rosacea symptoms.

The researchers noted that further study would contribute to an understanding of the potential significance of these findings. The study was reported by Dr. Martin Steinhoff, professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, and Dr. Leonard Weinstock, associate professor of clinical medicine at Washington University.

Reference:
1. Weinstock LB, Steinhoff M. Rosacea and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Prevalence and response to rifaximin. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2013;68:875-876.