While some signs and symptoms of rosacea can be challenging to control, effective medical therapies have been extensively studied and approved for the treatment of the bumps and pimples of subtype 2 (papulopustular) rosacea, according to the standard management options for rosacea recently published by the National Rosacea Society.1
"Fortunately today, there are proven therapies that can be tailored by a physician for each individual case to help bring this common form of rosacea under control on both an immediate and on a long-term basis," said Dr. Richard Odom, professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, chairman of the consensus committee and review panel of 26 rosacea experts who developed the new standard options. Subtype 2 rosacea is characterized by persistent facial redness and acne-like bumps and pimples, and is often seen after or at the same time as the flushing and redness of subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea.
In mild to moderate cases, doctors often prescribe oral and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, followed by long-term use of the topical therapy alone to maintain remission, Dr. Odom said. He noted that a controlled-release formulation of oral therapy with low blood levels may also be used for an indefinite period.
"Clinical research has demonstrated that rosacea patients who continue therapy on a long-term basis are substantially more likely to maintain remission," Dr. Odom said. In a study of rosacea sufferers over a six-month period, 77 percent of the patients who continued long-term topical therapy remained in remission, while 42 percent of those who did not experienced a relapse.2
In addition to long-term medical therapy, Dr. Odom stressed the importance of a gentle skin care program and minimizing environmental and lifestyle factors that aggravate the condition in individual cases.
References
- Odom R, Dahl M, Dover J, et al. Standard management options for rosacea, part 2: options according to subtype. Cutis 2009;84:97-104.
- Dahl MV, Katz I, et al. Topical metronidazole maintains remission of rosacea. Archives of Dermatology 1998;134:679-683.