Rosacea Treatment

Introduction

Rosacea is a skin condition linked to enlarged blood vessels. Approximately 10% of the population will experience rosacea at some point. Its most common symptoms include:

. Flushed appearance

. Persistent redness around the face

. Papules – spots/bumps that are dry inside

. Pustules – spots/bumps containing pus or other fluid

Although rosacea cannot be cured, there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms. For instance, Mirvaso improves the appearance of your skin by reducing the flow of blood to your face, counteracting the underlying issues with the enlarged blood vessels that contribute to the condition.

Causes of rosacea

The exact causes of rosacea are unknown, but it is thought that the red, flushed appearance is connected to a heightened flow of blood to the face, which in turn is a consequence of enlarged blood vessels. It is the underlying cause of the enlarged blood vessels that is unclear. Scientists and dermatologists have proposed several possibilities, from excess sun exposure to bacteria to tiny mites.

What triggers rosacea?

Even though we do not know the underlying cause of rosacea, we do understand the way that certain triggers can cause symptoms to emerge or become worse. These include:

. Stress

. Exercise

. Caffeine

. Dairy products

. Spicy foods

. Alcohol

. High temperature/fever (such as from infection)

. Hot weather/environments

. Humidity

. Sun exposure

. Cold weather

. Medical conditions, such as high blood pressure

. Some medications, including those for high blood pressure

Symptoms similar to rosacea, including redness and hot flushes, are common during the menopause.

Rosacea and skincare

Some skincare products should be avoided to minimise the risk of triggering rosacea. This includes products that contain alcohol or abrasive ingredients, which can act as irritants. Other ingredients to avoid include sodium lauryl sulphate, lanolin, witch hazel, tea tree, peppermint, camphor, clove oil and menthol. These may be found in gels, creams, shampoos, perfumes and more. Similar caution should be used when choosing cosmetics, which are also common causes of skin irritation.

Rosacea and diet

Effort should also be made to avoid foods that trigger rosacea symptoms. You may be able to reduce redness, papules and pustules by altering your diet to remove or at least reduce alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods. If you document what you eat and drink and when your rosacea becomes more or less prominent, you may be able to identify which foods in particular are triggering the symptoms, and therefore which present the biggest risk.

Acne rosacea

Rosacea is not the same as acne, even though one of its common names is “acne rosacea” and they share some symptoms. They are two distinct conditions with different causes. Acne is not a result of enlarged blood vessels, but an excess of the oily substance known as sebum.

You can minimise the development of rosacea papules and pustules through treatment with Mirvaso. This should mitigate the symptoms.

What is Mirvaso?

Mirvaso is a rosacea treatment applied in the form of a gel. Rosacea is caused in part of the enlargement of the blood vessels, and Mirvaso can cause them to narrow again. This should reduce incidents of redness, flushing, papules and pustules. Mirvaso gel is simple to use but does need to be regularly applied on a daily basis.

How to use Mirvaso

Apply the Mirvaso gel once a day, every day. The effects only last for a day, so missing just one dose could cause the redness and other symptoms to almost immediately recur. A pea-sized amount should be sufficient to spread and cover your face evenly. You should apply it to all areas, including across your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.

Never use Mirvaso on the inside of the nose, or on the eyes and lips. Wash with water immediately if any of these areas are directly exposed to Mirvaso gel.

Do not use any form of cosmetic product/makeup on top of freshly applied Mirvaso. Wait until the gel has dried and is fully absorbed into the skin.

Side effects

There is a possibility of side effects for some patients who use Mirvaso.

These may include:

. Skin redness

. Flushed appearance

Product information

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5303.pdf

Mirvaso is available without a prescription after a brief consultation with one of our pharmacists.

Availability

View your preferred pharmacy’s page or visit in person at your convenience to find out more about this service.