There is no test to confirm rosacea, so doctors usually diagnose it based on symptoms and your skin. They will examine your face and neck, looking for redness, pimples, bumps, visible threadlike blood vessels (telangiectasia), and skin thickening. They will also look at your eyes. If your eyes are red, watery, itchy, or burning, you may have what is called ocular rosacea. These symptoms can lead to serious eye damage and loss of vision if untreated.
Treatments include medications and skincare. Your doctor will likely recommend twice-daily use of a gel, foam, or cream containing azelaic acid, which decreases inflammation. He or she may also prescribe a medicine to reduce bacteria (doxycycline), or a medicine that kills a mite that is commonly found in the skin (ivermectin). In some cases, low dose oral antibiotics such as doxycycline and metronidazole can help decrease inflammation and acne-like breakouts. Newer creams such as brimonidine and oxymetazoline can decrease redness by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
The most important thing is to avoid what triggers your rosacea symptoms. Exposure to ultraviolet rays and heat is one of the most common triggers, so using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher is very important. Many alternative therapies have been touted, such as emu oil and laurelwood, but there is no evidence that they work. You should also avoid anything that irritates your skin. Some people may find comfort in joining a rosacea support group, either online or in person. rosacea treatment