Topics Discussed Below

---

• Misconception: Rosacea sufferers are well-controlled by standard treatments
  
• Main problem with this misconception
  
• References

---

 

I. Misconception: Rosacea Sufferers are Controlled by Standard Treatments

This is a common misconception that general physicians have about rosacea treatment. While standard rosacea treatment such as oral and topical antibiotics are helpful at reducing some of rosacea's superficial symptoms, they do not address the underlying flushing disorder. (1-7) Therefore, rosacea sufferers are instructed to avoid anything that triggers facial flushing. In real life, this means that rosacea controls the patient. This is often unknown or forgotten by general physicians.

Most rosacea sufferers that I have communicated with are not asking for unrealistic help with their disorder. They are not striving to be models with perfect facial skin. Most rosacea sufferers just want to look normal, feel normal, and function normally. They want to get rid of the red, inflamed face, and reduce the daily flushing reactions. They want relief from the uncomfortable burning and stinging sensations. They want to be able to go out in the heat, cold, wind, and sun, without immediately experiencing a sunburn reaction. They want to exercise without paying for it the entire day. They want to be able to use normal skincare products without facial inflammation. They want to be able to work hard at their careers, and work through stressful situations without facial flushing and burning sensations. They want to be able to sit in warm rooms and snuggle with their loved ones without their faces turning fire-red. They want to eat normal meals with normal people without feeling like outcasts. These goals are not unreasonable. This is not too much to request. However, most rosacea sufferers do not achieve this level of clearance with standard rosacea treatments. So, please do not inform us that topical and oral antibiotics result in excellent clearance or remission of rosacea. Please do not tell us that we are usually well controlled by the standard medications - the real life truth is that we are well controlled by the disorder.

II. Main Problem with this Misconception

It is paramount that physicians understand that standard rosacea therapies are not enough for most sufferers, especially those in the moderate to severe stages. If physicians do not realize that standard therapies do not treat the underlying vascular disorder, and that many patients experience a significant decrease in the quality of their lives because of this, then there will be very little research and medical testing performed on rosacea. If physicians and pharmaceutical companies are under the impression that oral and topical antibiotics are the answer to rosacea, then why should there be any more research or drug development in this area? Why should research dollars be invested into rosacea? Why shouldn't rosacea be downgraded into a disorder that is easily controlled by simple medications? Do you see what this innocent misconception can lead to?

III. References

1. National Rosacea Society. "Rosacea Review". Summer. 1998. Drake,L.
   
   
2. Grosshans, E. Rosacea. Presse Med 17: 2393-2398, 1988.
   
   
3. Lowe, N.J., K.L. Behr, R. Fitzpatrick, M. Goldman, and J. Ruiz-Esparza. Flash lamp pumped dye laser for rosacea-associated telangiectasia and erythema. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 17: 522-525, 1991.
   
   
4. Turjanmaa, K. and T. Reunala. Isotretinoin treatment of rosacea. Acta Derm Venereol 67: 89-91, 1987.
   
   
5. Wollina, U. The response of erythematous rosacea to ondansetron. Br J Dermatol 140: 561-562, 1999.
   
   
6. Donshik, P.C., D.M. Hoss, and W.H. Ehlers. Inflammatory and papulosquamous disorders of the skin and eye. Dermatol Clin 10: 533-547, 1992.
   
   
7. Borrie, P. "The state of the blood vessels of the face in rosacea - I". Br J Dermatol 67: 5-8, 1955.

 

Top of Page