How to Manage Your Rosacea Symptoms Effectively

Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by Ellen Christian

Thank you Galderma Laboratories, the marketer of ORACEA® (doxycycline, USP) 40 mg* Capsules for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

If you suffer from rosacea, you’ve probably wondered how to manage your rosacea symptoms effectively. Rosacea is a condition that not everyone understands, but it affects an estimated 16 million Americans (~1 in 20) and 40 million people worldwide; and with varied symptoms, it can be challenging for sufferers to manage.

How to Manage Your Rosacea Symptoms

I was diagnosed with rosacea when I was in my middle twenties, right after the birth of my daughter. I had originally thought that my symptoms were the result of hormone changes, and I thought things would settle down after my body adjusted.  After several months of persistent redness and what looked like acne, I decided to visit a dermatologist to see what I could do.

After my appointment with a dermatologist, I learned that what I had was rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects the face, which may be characterized by bumps and blemishes, persistent facial redness and burning, or itching eyes. Everyone’s symptoms are slightly different. My symptoms were red bumps and blemishes and persistent facial redness. As I get older, my symptoms are more noticeable. I frequently turn to makeup to hide some of the redness and bumps.

One of the things that can make rosacea challenging is that nearly half (49%) of sufferers have mistaken it for acne, before being correctly diagnosed with rosacea by a doctor. This can be a problem because acne treatments can irritate skin with rosacea and may make symptoms worse. After 20+ years with rosacea, these are a few things that have worked with me.

Watch your diet

Some people will notice that certain foods aggravate their symptoms. While this is different for everyone, a few things that I’ve noticed are very spicy foods and caffeine. Pay attention to what you eat and consider starting a food journal to determine what foods may be triggers for you.

Avoid the sun

Exposure to the sun can be a problem for those who have rosacea. Avoid the sun during the peak hours when at all possible. Always use SPF protection on your face when you do need to be outside, and consider wearing a hat with a wide brim.

Watch your stress

Like other conditions, stress may cause your rosacea to flare. Learn to manage your stress level before it becomes a problem. You may want to consider journaling, yoga, walking, or meditation to help you deal with the stress in your life. I try to find a quiet spot each day to relax and enjoy nature.

Talk to your doctor

Medications are available to help manage the signs and symptoms of rosacea. Speak to your doctor if you think that you have rosacea and ask about using a product like ORACEA® (doxycycline, USP) 40 mg* Capsules to treat and help reduce the bumps and blemishes of rosacea. If left untreated, rosacea may become worse over time. This isn’t something that you should put off. Learn more today.

Important Safety Information – Oracea® Capsules

Indication: ORACEA® (doxycycline, USP) 40 mg* Capsules are indicated for the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adult patients. ORACEA Capsules do not lessen the facial redness caused by rosacea. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (>2%) in patients treated with ORACEA Capsules were nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, diarrhea, hypertension and aspartate aminotransferase increase. Warnings/Precautions: ORACEA Capsules should not be used to treat or prevent infections. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken by patients who have a known hypersensitivity to doxycycline or other tetracyclines. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken during pregnancy, by nursing mothers, or during tooth development (up to the age of 8 years). Although photosensitivity was not observed in clinical trials, ORACEA Capsules patients should minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight. The efficacy of ORACEA Capsules treatment beyond 16 weeks and safety beyond 9 months have not been established.

*30 mg immediate release & 10 mg delayed release beads

 You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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