What are rosacea spots?

What do rosacea spots look like?

Rosacea can often be confused with an outbreak of acne and this is why an expert should be consulted to ensure that a correct diagnosis is given as early as possible. This is important so that acne rosacea treatment can be sought. The confusion between the 2 conditions arises as rosacea causes what appears like spots. These are small pink or red bumps and can be filled with pus that has a yellowish colour to it. Prior to these spots appearing, the early signs of acne rosacea include redness across the nose, chin, forehead, and cheeks that comes and goes. There may also be a burning sensation when water is applied to the face. 

The face can develop to almost permanently having a red or purple tinge to it. This is caused by the appearance of tiny broken blood vessels on the face. Other symptoms of acne rosacea include:

• Dry skin
• Swelling, especial around the eyes
• Yellow/orange patches on the skin
• Sore eyelids or a crust that forms at the base of the eyelashes
• Thickening of the skin 

How do you get rid of rosacea spots?

Those that suffer from acne rosacea are, understandably, keen to rid themselves of the physical signs of the condition. Acne rosacea treatment will help to get rid of the spots, reduce the redness and itchiness, and restore an uneven skin tone. Major outbreaks are often treated with an antibiotic such as oxytetracycline or, in a topical gel, metronidazole. Azelaic acid is also a common form of medication that can prove useful. Once the spots are gone, people still need to target the redness caused by the condition and this can be achieved through either laser treatment or the use of intense pulsed lights (IPL).

There are also a number of things that a person can do at home in the form of self-help to manage their condition. These include:

• Using gentle cleansers
• Avoid perfumed soaps or products that are alcohol-based
• Rather than run your face dry, blot it or allow it to dry naturally
• When it is sunny use suncream with a minimum SPF of 30
• Avoid obvious triggers

Although these actions will not necessarily rid a sufferer of their spots, they can help to control the extent of any outbreak and minimise their frequency.

What is the best treatment for acne rosacea?

When looking for the best acne rosacea treatment, it is important to consult an experienced dermatologist who is an expert in this field. A consultation will allow an expert to assess the extent of your acne rosacea and then to determine what would be the best course of treatment for you. This can be influenced by your skin type and whether you have developed any complications.

In terms of treating the spots caused by rosacea, often a course of antibiotics is effective in controlling an outbreak. This will not address the issue of redness to the face and so a combination of treatments is often the best way to manage rosacea. The redness can be addressed through the use of IPL. 

IPL uses intense light that focuses on visible blood vessels. The heat generated from the light targets blood vessels that have been widened and causes them to shrink. This reduces their visibility. Great care is taken not to damage any of the surrounding skin. It may be the case that more than one treatment is required to achieve the desired result, but the team at Cadogan Clinic are able to advise when putting together your treatment plan.