A new study from South Korea links the use of acid suppressants – proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), widely used therapies for treatment of acid-related gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and others – and increased risk of rosacea, according to a recent report in the Journal of Korean Medical Science.1

Dermatologists discussed advanced medical therapies for rosacea and presented data on their tolerability and rapid effectiveness at the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in New Orleans.

A recent National Rosacea Society (NRS) survey found that most rosacea patients were satisfied with the oral and topical prescription therapies they are using, but that individuals 60 and over were more likely to use older treatments, rather than newer products that may more effectively target specific signs and symptoms.

A recent patient survey by the National Rosacea Society has documented the importance of compliance with medical therapy, as 88 percent of the respondents said their symptoms reappear or increase in severity if they fail to use their medication as directed.

In the new survey, 74 percent of 658 respondents said they take their rosacea medications as prescribed by their physician. Another 17 percent said they sometimes use their medications as prescribed, and only 9 percent reported they do not follow their doctor's orders.

Q: Is wine used in cooking, wherein the alcohol has evaporated, still considered a rosacea trigger?

A. It stands to reason that wine may not affect your rosacea if the alcohol is removed in cooking. However, as with all rosacea triggers, what affects one person may not affect another. If wine affects your rosacea, the only way to know for sure whether its residue in cooking is also a trigger is to try it to determine your sensitivity.

Although the cause of rosacea is unclear and is still under scientific investigation, there has been an explosion of new products -- many available without a prescription -- that imply they may help rosacea. How can rosacea patients know whether such claims have merit?

Q. Will I eventually get all four subtypes of rosacea?

A. The four subtypes of rosacea, designated by the new standard classification system, identify common patterns of signs and symptoms. Individual patients may have all of the signs of a certain subtype, or just some of them. Others may have characteristics of more than one subtype at the same time.

Certain medications themselves can trigger or aggravate rosacea signs and symptoms, according to Dr. John Wolf, chairman of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine.

"Rosacea can worsen for some patients from taking vasodilator drugs because of their ability to dilate the blood vessels," he said. "Beta blockers and niacin (vitamin B3) may also cause blood to rush to the face, resulting in a rosacea flare-up."

Q. Is it possible that the medication I am taking for high blood pressure could be aggravating my rosacea?

A. It has been reported that some medications, for example high blood pressure medicines, may precipitate a sudden onset of flushing, which can aggravate rosacea. Be sure to let your dermatologist know of any medications you may be taking for other disorders.

Q. I just learned I have rosacea. How long does this disease last?

Q. Is there any way to control blushing? I feel anxious and inhibited when I am in a small group because I feel my whole face is glowing red.

A. Blushing is a common phenomenon, especially in people whose fair skin cannot hide the sudden onset of facial redness. It is often caused by emotions, but can also be triggered by a variety of environmental and other factors.