Some fine points on treating rosacea.

Dr. Irwin
February 28, 2013
Dear Dr. Irwin, I have type 1 rosacea with persistant slowly enlarging redness on my cheeks. I hardly flush and always avoid the triggers and also watch my diet to keep it under control. I hesitate to see a dermatologist since I'm worried that I'll be on medications forever considering rosacea is a chronic disease. Do rosacea patients stay on medications for years? If not, how is it controlled once they're off medications? Thank you

Thank you for writing – rosacea is such a common problem.  Most of the time, rosacea can be controlled with a topical cream or gel that is applied nightly or twice a day depending on what’s selected by your dermatologist.  More on rosacea. 

Once you have rosacea, you will probably have it for at least 30 years!  And I’m not joking because it is mild, lasts for many years usually, and gets WORSE if you don’t treat it.   Most people would much rather put on a topical cream daily that have the rosacea continue to get worse.   In some cases, oral medication is needed, but even then, often only for a short time.  I would urge you to see your dermatologist before this progresses.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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