Medical therapy for seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and rosacea, skin disorders that frequently occur together in patients, was discussed at the recent American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in San Diego.

Targeted rosacea therapies can lead to facial skin free of redness and blemishes, but only if these two key elements are also in place: the patient’s commitment to consistent adherence to the treatment plan and the patience to let it work. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on this conspicuous, life-disruptive facial disorder affecting 16 million Americans, and urge those who may have it to see a dermatologist for diagnosis and therapy tailored to their individual case.

While our culture offers many opportunities for instant gratification, unfortunately the management of rosacea is not one of them. 

“Patients should give any new treatment at least 12 weeks to do its job,” said Dr. Julie Harper, president and owner of the Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham and a member of the NRS medical advisory board.

Most clinical practice guidelines for rosacea identify the primary objective as clearing the visible signs of rosacea, while unseen symptoms such as burning and stinging are not always addressed even though they add to patients’ burden of disease and lower quality of life, according to a review of studies on burning and/or stinging in individuals with rosacea recently published in the European journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica.¹

A majority of rosacea patients have experienced eye irritation since being diagnosed with rosacea, but most have not been treated for the eye symptoms of ocular rosacea. 

While the ravages of subtype 3 (phymatous) rosacea have been well documented throughout history, today a multitude of options are available to restore a red, swollen or bumpy nose (rhinophyma) to normal appearance.

Although subtype 3 (phymatous) rosacea often involves excess tissue, it can be effectively treated with a range of options appropriate for the severity of the case, according to the standard management options for rosacea recently published by the National Rosacea Society.¹

Soothing cleansing and other measures in addition to medical therapy may help relieve the symptoms of subtype 4 (ocular) rosacea, according to the standard management options for rosacea recently published by the National Rosacea Society (NRS).

"Gentle care in keeping eyelids clean is especially important in keeping eyes with ocular rosacea healthy," said Dr. Marian Macsai, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Chicago and a member of the consensus committee and review panel of 26 medical experts who developed the new standard options.¹

Because the flushing and facial redness of subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea are difficult to treat with medical therapy, other measures may be especially important for successfully controlling this widespread form of rosacea, according to the standard management options for rosacea recently published by the National Rosacea Society (NRS).¹

Q. I keep seeing advice on how to prevent a flare-up, but not how to treat one. When I wake up in the morning and my face is covered in red bumps and pustules, is there any treatment that provides immediate relief?