Rosacea medications: online consultation
- Do you notice sudden redness in the central areas of your face?
- Do you see dilated blood vessels on your skin?
- During flushing episodes, do you experience itching, burning, or stinging of the skin?
- Do bumps, pimples, or swelling appear where redness previously occurred?
Rosacea medications: online consultation
Online consultation with a doctor
Have you noticed that your face often suddenly turns red, especially in the central areas? Has your skin become sensitive, burning, itchy, or stinging during flushing episodes? Perhaps you’ve also seen visible blood vessels, bumps, pimples, or swelling where redness previously appeared? Don’t wait – consult a doctor online to learn what steps to take to relieve rosacea symptoms and care for your skin’s health. Not sure which products to choose? Get expert advice from a dermatologist.
Doctor Consultation in as little as 15 minutes!
Choose an e-prescription if you already know which medication you need to manage rosacea.
If you need advice from a doctor on choosing the right medication, select a dermatology consultation.
How does it work?
Choose a consultation
If you're not sure which medication to choose, book a consultation with a dermatologist who will select the right treatment.
Fill out the medical form
Provide your personal and health information in the medical questionnaire.
Wait for a call
If you're a new Dimedic patient and it's your first time requesting this medication, the doctor will call you to conduct a medical interview.
Receive your documentation
Once approved, your prescription will be sent to you via SMS or email.
Rosacea – What You Need to Know
How to recognize rosacea?
Rosacea presents as persistent and intense facial redness. It's typically accompanied by small pimples and bumps in areas affected by redness or flushing.
What does rosacea look like?
Rosacea lesions appear on the forehead, between the eyebrows, nose, cheeks, under the eyes, upper lip, chin, and sometimes chest, back, and scalp.
What are the characteristic skin changes?
There are three key types of lesions: Erythematous changes: transient redness, typical of the early stages. Papulopustular changes: persistent redness with pimples, bumps, and visible blood vessels (telangiectasias). Hypertrophic changes: often in advanced stages, especially rhinophyma (bulbous nose).
Rosacea causes – what triggers it?
While the exact cause is still unclear, hormonal changes (e.g., menopause), genetic predisposition, and environmental factors are considered major contributors.
How to treat rosacea?
Rosacea treatment is complex and must be tailored to the individual. That’s why consulting a dermatologist is essential. A teleconsultation at Dimedic.eu is a great option – a specialist will assess your case and recommend the right treatment without you leaving home.
What medications are used for rosacea?
Because of the broad spectrum of symptoms and unknown mechanisms, treatment involves both topical and systemic therapies. These include antibiotics and chemotherapeutics, available in various forms.
Rosacea Affects Up to 10% of the Population
Rosacea is estimated to affect between 1% and 10% of the population. That means up to 1 in 10 people may be living with a condition that lowers self-esteem (in 70% of cases), causes reluctance to engage in public interactions (41%), and negatively impacts relationships (70%).
That’s why it’s essential to understand what rosacea looks like and what medications are used to prevent its recurrence. Knowing how to treat rosacea effectively can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected. You’ll find all of this information in the article below.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea (TR, Rosacea) is a chronic, relapsing, and currently incurable inflammatory skin (or occasionally eye) condition. It most commonly affects adults aged 30 to 60, particularly women around menopause. Although its exact cause remains unknown, genetic, vascular, and immune-related factors are believed to be involved.
Symptoms most often appear in the central part of the face. Initially, there is persistent redness; as the disease progresses, papules and pustules may develop. The specific symptoms depend on the subtype of rosacea, of which there are four:
Erythematotelangiectatic – transient flushing, central facial redness, visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
Papulopustular – persistent redness with swelling, papules, pustules, burning or stinging sensations
Phymatous – thickened skin, bumpy texture, often affecting the nose (rhinophyma), forehead, ears, or cheeks
Ocular – redness, itching, watery eyes, blepharitis or conjunctivitis, blurred vision, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation
Diagnosis and treatment are based on the subtype, severity, and coexisting factors such as Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or the presence of Demodex folliculorum mites and associated Bacillus oleronius bacteria.
How Is Rosacea Treated?
Treatment typically begins with topical therapy (gels, creams, ointments). If symptoms are moderate to severe, or topical medications are ineffective, doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics or, in more resistant cases, low-dose retinoids. Antibiotics at lower doses may also be used for maintenance therapy.
Common treatments by subtype:
Papulopustular rosacea: topical treatments like azelaic acid, metronidazole, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, or erythromycin
Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: less responsive to medication, often treated with vascular lasers or light therapy
Ocular rosacea: responds to eyelid hygiene and topical/oral antibiotics (often tetracyclines)
Most medications used for rosacea are prescription-only (traditional or e-prescriptions), and treatment is usually directed by a dermatologist.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Rosacea mainly affects the face but may also involve other areas. Hallmark signs include:
Persistent redness
Papules and pustules
Visible blood vessels (telangiectasia)
In severe cases, tissue overgrowth, especially on the nose (rhinophyma)
These symptoms can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, making early diagnosis and personalized treatment essential.
What Causes Rosacea?
The causes of rosacea are complex and not fully understood. Key contributing factors include:
Genetics
Vascular and immune dysfunction
Hormonal imbalances
Diet and environmental factors (e.g. sun exposure, stress, extreme temperatures)
Understanding these triggers is crucial to effective treatment and flare-up prevention.
Available Treatment Options
Topical Treatments
Common agents include:
Metronidazole – available in gel or cream; the “gold standard”
Azelaic acid – anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, OTC available
Ivermectin – anti-inflammatory and effective against Demodex mites
Retinoids (e.g., tretinoin) – used in resistant cases
Tacrolimus (calcineurin inhibitor) – used in steroid-induced rosacea
Oral Treatments
Tetracyclines (limecycline, doxycycline, tetracycline)
Metronidazole, clindamycin, erythromycin
Low-dose retinoids (in severe or unresponsive cases)
Over-the-Counter Options
Azelaic acid (15% gel, 20% cream)
Benzoyl peroxide gel – used cautiously and off-label
Medication Safety and Risks
Rosacea medications can cause side effects, such as:
Redness, itching, irritation
Skin dryness or peeling
Worsening of symptoms if misused
Drug interactions (especially with chronic conditions)
Close collaboration with a doctor is essential to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Complementary Skincare for Rosacea
In addition to medications, skincare is crucial:
Gentle cleansing once daily with lukewarm water and fingertips
Use syndets (soap-free cleansers) with neutral or slightly acidic pH
Avoid scrubs and exfoliants
Use thermal water to soothe the skin
Product Recommendations:
Dermocosmetics for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin
Green-tinted creams to neutralize redness
Avoid heavy foundations and harsh removers
Daily Rosacea Care Tips
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
Identify and avoid individual triggers, such as:
Physical – wind, heat, cold
Chemical – menthol, eucalyptus oil, alcohols, AHAs
Food – spicy foods, chocolate, dairy, caffeine, alcohol
Medications – vasodilators, niacin, corticosteroids
Other – stress, menopause, physical exertion, sauna
Online Dermatology Consultation at Dimedic
At Dimedic, you can schedule a video consultation or teleconsultation with a dermatologist.
If you're a returning patient renewing a prescription, the doctor may issue it without direct contact. For new treatments, the doctor will call you for an assessment.
Our experienced specialists will choose the right prescription rosacea medication and advise you on how to manage the condition effectively.