Rosacea Creams Exposed

How to Choose a Rosacea Cream

Are you tired of people walking up to you and asking why you’re so shy? Do you have a few choice words for the next person who walks up to you and asks you why you’re such a deep shade of red? Those bystanders may not know it, but the reason for your redness could be something deeper than a little blush. A rosacea cream can be a quick fix solution for anyone recently diagnosed with this irritating skin condition. Learn more about steps you can take to eliminate redness and bumps from your face forever.

Metronidazole Cream

This is the generic term for a skin treatment that, when applied topically, can quickly reduce redness and swelling, whether from acne or rosacea, or some combination of the two. The drug was approved by the FDA in 1997, and since then has gone on to become a popular solution to even the most stubborn cases of rosacea. This rosacea cream is available generically, as well as under the brand names of Noritate and Metrocream. Interested? Here are some more vital tips about this unique brand of rosacea treatment.

Prescription and Storage Information

The cream metronidazole is recommended for storage at room temperature- between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. It is most commonly used for topical treatment, and takes care of lesions, redness, and other skin blemishes commonly caused by rosacea.

Dosage Tips

For best results with metronidazole cream, apply to the red or blemished area a maximum of two times daily. Make sure to clean the designated area of skin before use, and then rub a thin layer of the cream into the red spot. Makeup may also be used on the skin one the rosacea cream has been applied, and contact with eyes should be avoided at all costs with this cream.

Risk for Drug Interactions

Before taking any new drug or cream, it is extremely important to check with your physician about any other drugs or treatments you may have been previously taking, and make sure they will not interact dangerously with any skincare cream for rosacea. That said, typically, severe reactions with metronidazole cream are very unlikely, since the treatment requires only small amounts of the rosacea cream can be rubbed on the skin per each application.

However, when taken orally, metronizadole can interact with the blood thinner Warfarin (commonly prescribed for blood clots and other heart conditions). Before mixing the two, be sure to have a conversation with your doctor.

Additionally, women who are pregnant should be wary of taking this medication, as it can become secreted into breast milk when taken orally.

Possible Side Effects

The potential for side effects with metronidazole are extremely rare, and they tend to be minor. The most commonly reported side effects include irritation of the skin, dryness and itching, and in some extreme (and extremely rare) cases, scaling may occur around the applied patch of skin.

Other Types of Treatments

If you’re more inclined to look for unconventional methods, one that is low in impact and high in effectiveness is the pulse laser treatment. Doctors take an intense pulsating light and direct it to areas of redness on the face. As a result, the rosacea’s severity can be reduced.

While rosacea tends to appear more in women, when it affects men, its severity can worsen into rhinophyma, which could change the shape and texture of the nose. For this level of rosacea, doctors can use a similar laser procedure or electrosurgery, which will remove the excess tissue while being relatively invasive compared to other types of surgery.

Another effective method of treating rosacea is through some acne medications like Roaccutane. Proceed with caution when going into the acne medication territory, however, because some medicines can actually worsen a rosacea flare up. Stick with what your doctor tells you, and you should be in the clear. Literally.

Other powerful treatments and creams for rosacea are completely natural. You may already have them lying around your house in preparation for a sunburn or pimple. Aloe and chamomile are very familiar to public knowledge for their skin soothing capabilities. There are many other natural ingredients that sound lovely, and are also lovely for your skin, like red clover and rose hips. Lesser known ingredients burdock and betaine hydrochoride have a similarly helpful effect on bumps and pustules. There are also several elements on the periodic table that can help heal rosacea outbreaks, like Selenium and Zinc.

Take Preventative Steps Now

Even if you don’t necessarily have the condition rosacea, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that it never becomes an issue in your life. For starters, follow basic common logic by wearing sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 15, every time you think you may be out in the sun for longer than 20 or 30 minutes. Drink water whenever possible, and when in extreme heat or cold, make sure to have a protective head covering easily at hand. Cosmetics are available by the barrel full that can cover up even the most stubborn of temporary blotches. Most doctors recommend using makeup that is water based (so as not to provoke irritation) and which has a green hue to it. This will make sure the redness is completely covered and not poking out through any foundation or concealer.

If you find yourself faced (no pun intended) with the daily challenges of rosacea, don’t worry. You are not alone, and you are certainly not without help. There are a number of well trained physicians with knowledge on how to improve even the trickiest of these types of blemishes. Should you be less inclined to want to follow a doctor’s orders, there are also a number of household solutions to clearing up a red spot here and there. Just don’t lose face (okay, this time, pun very intended), because many people have been where you are and come through, and with these rosacea creams, you can too.