Rosacea—primary care treatment pathway

What is rosacea?

• Rosacea is a chronic disorder of the facial skin characterised by redness, particularly of the convexities—cheeks, chin, and forehead sparing the peri-ocular skin
• Flushing is common and tends to be prolonged and can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. This is often triggered by temperature change, exercise, food, emotional stimuli, and alcohol. In time telangiectasia can develop
• Some patients develop acne-like papules and pustules, but comedones are absent
• Eye symptoms are common including dryness, grittiness, blepharitis, and redness
• Rosacea can be seen in all skin types but is more common in fair skin. It affects both sexes and tends to occur in mid-life
• A subset of patients develop thickening of the facial tissues, particularly of the nose (rhinophyma) but this is relatively uncommon and very rare in women

Important information about treatments

• Treatment is often required because avoiding triggers can be difficult for patients. Use of high factor broad spectrum sunblock (sun protection factor ≥30) is recommended
• Light emollients and camouflage skin care products are beneficial. Topical steroids can exacerbate rosacea and should be avoided
• Treatment options are directed by the predominant type of rosacea. Flushing and fixed erythema can be helped by topical brimonidine, intense pulsed light (IPL), or pulsed dye laser (PDL). More raised/ inflammatory changes (i.e. papules and pustules) can be treated with topical agents (ivermectin, azelaic acid, or metronidazole gels or creams), or oral antibiotics)
• This guidance has been developed to be mindful of the growing concerns about antibiotic resistance. If possible, the use of long-term antibiotics should be avoided
• For futher information on treatment options and rosacea subsets, please refer to the PCDS rosacea treatment pathway and treatment options.

Differential diagnosis

• Seborrhoeic dermatitis (may co-exist); the patient will usually have history of dandruff, dryness, and scale in the naso-labial folds, medial eyebrow, and ear
• Acne vulgaris; when presenting with greasiness, comedones and lack of background erythema
• Periorificial dermatitis; typically seen in young women, can be acneiform or eczematous around the mouth and/or eyes
• Keratosis pilaris rubra; fixed redness of cheeks since childhood with follicular erythema and scale on upper arms and thighs

Practical advice and further information resources for doctors and patients

• Inflammatory rosacea is highly amenable to treatment and patients should be advised that whilst a chronic condition that cannot be cured, it can be very well controlled. Long-term treatment is generally advisable to minimise the risk of progression of the disease
• Patients may initially require a combination of topical and systemic treatment, but ideally managed on topical treatments in the longer term. If significant improvement is not experienced at two months, patients should be encouraged to seek further medical advice
• Patients should be reassured that alcohol does not cause rosacea, although it may induce flushing
• We would encourage regular reviews to ensure unnecessary use of antibiotics is avoided

Consider referral if:

• Severe psychological distress
• Not responding to treatment
• Patient might benefit from IPL/PDL

Useful sources of information

• PCDS: www.pcds.org.uk
• Cochrane review: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003262.pub5/abstract
• BAD patient leaflets: www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets