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Types of Rosacea and Treatment Options near San Diego, CA

Rosacea can be quite distressing and difficult to hide under makeup which may lead to self-confidence issues for those who suffer from it. Part of what makes rosacea so stressful is that it has two components: redness in the skin and acne bumps that can be red or pustular. To make matters worse, breakouts can happen at any time. The good news is there are many excellent treatments for rosacea. Below, Dr. Amanda Lloyd at the Skin & Vein Institute in North San Diego County, CA explains the types of rosacea and effective treatments available.
Types of Rosacea and Treatments near San Diego CA area

What causes rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is caused by a few different factors. With rosacea, inflammation in the skin is present, which creates the redness associated with the condition. In addition, there is typically an increased number of blood vessels, which contribute to redness and may also be visible beneath the skin. Some people with rosacea may have a reaction to demodex mites, which are natural little bugs that live on our normal skin. Dietary triggers can also play a role in rosacea breakouts.

Treatment options for rosacea

For patients with rosacea, it is important to treat the inflammation which targets both the redness and acne components of rosacea. There are three main groups of treatments for rosacea:

  • Laser treatments
  • Topical treatments
  • Oral treatments
Laser treatments by far work the best for redness; however, they typically aren’t covered by insurance because the redness is considered cosmetic. While there are creams available that can help with the redness in some patients, they can be rather disappointing because they often cause rebound redness, which makes the redness even worse after using the cream, or they are ineffective. Therefore, treating redness with lasers such as the excel V® that selectively target the redness in the blood vessels is really the mainstay and the best treatment option for the redness component of rosacea.

For the papulopustular component of rosacea, topical and oral treatments can be effective at improving the condition and decreasing the number of breakouts you experience.

Beautiful woman wothout rosacea near San Diego in Encinitas, CA area
  • Topical treatments include various medications such as azelaic acid, topical ivermectin, and many others. The goal of these medications is to decrease both the number of blemishes you have due to rosacea and prevent future breakouts from occurring.
  • For oral treatments, the mainstay is doxycycline, which is an antibiotic. There is a low dose, delayed release doxycycline available that is sub-microbial, which means that you don’t have to worry as much about antibiotic resistance because the dose is low enough that it only works on the inflammation of the rosacea as opposed to killing the bacteria that can cause acne and other skin infections.
Treating rosacea effectively also often requires a dietary intervention, as many things can trigger a flare, such as alcohol (like red wine), spicy foods, caffeinated beverages, and other foods. Dr. Lloyd can work with you to determine whether any of these foods or beverages may be triggering your symptoms.

Ocular rosacea

If you suffer from rosacea, it is important to be aware of and watch for symptoms in your eyes, because rosacea can also affect the eye (called ocular rosacea). When rosacea does affect the eyes, it feels like there is constantly sandpaper or grittiness in the eyes. If this happens and ocular rosacea is present, it is very important to seek medical treatment, as it can cause damage to the eye and keeping the rosacea under control is very important for your long-term eye health.

Rhinophyma rosacea

The end stage of rosacea is called rhinophyma, where the nose becomes very enlarged and bulbous. Once rosacea gets to this point, it is treated via CO2 laser, which re-sculpts the nose. This procedure is typically not covered by insurance; therefore, it is very important to treat your rosacea early so that the long-term consequences of rosacea do not become apparent in your skin.

Call Dr. Lloyd and Start Managing Your Rosacea Dr. Amanda Lloyd at the Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas, CA is an expert in rosacea and would love to talk with you about the different treatments that are available to help you get your rosacea under control. Call us today at (760) 642-6674.

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Meet Dr. Amanda Lloyd

DR. AMANDA LLOYD HAS BEEN SERVING HER PATIENTS MORE THAN 15 YEARS. Dr. Amanda Lloyd

Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Amanda Lloyd has expertise ranging from cosmetic to cancerous. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, Medical Degree and Dermatology residency, she established the Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas, CA. She is an authority on cosmetic dermatology and injectables, laser therapies, venous disease treatments and skin cancer surgery with cosmetic reconstruction. Additional training with Mohs Surgery and cosmetic dermatology fellowship, many published articles and textbook chapters have enhanced her profile.

Dr. Lloyd’s well-rounded approach to skin care, health, and appearance and membership in many dermatology associations have gained her respect among peers. She regularly lectures her peers at the dermatologic national meetings.

She has earned her patients trust as a dermatology authority who wants to make them look their best so they Look Stunning, Always.

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