Rosacea Decision Aid

My Options

Some treatment options may not be available in certain countries.

You indicated you had the following symptoms. We ordered them based on severity/impact.

• Abnormal Skin Sensations+
  Gentle skin care and sun protection is routinely recommended by dermatologists. The skin barrier is altered in rosacea and is unable to retain usual amounts of moisture. Gentle cleansers using synthetic detergents instead of regular soap (which can dry and stress the skin) and use of barrier repair moisturizers can improve symptoms of stinging and burning.
• Ongoing (persistent) Facial Redness+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light / Laser Treatments
  • Systemic (Pill) Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light / Laser Treatments	x Systemic (Pill) Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Cover up makeup or foundation may be considered.	Topical Treatments These are applied directly to the skin as gels, creams or lotions. Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments These involve applying light or laser devices to affected areas by trained professionals. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments These are taken by mouth. Learn More
  What types are there?	No Treatment Cover up makeup or foundation (various manufacturers)	Topical Treatments Alpha adrenergics: Brimonidine Oxymetazoline	Light / Laser Treatments Intense pulsed light (IPL) Vascular Lasers (PDL, Nd:YAG and KTP 532)	Systemic (Pill) Treatments Beta blockers: Propranolol Carvedilol
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with rosacea.	Topical Treatments Mild to severe facial redness. Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments Mild to severe facial redness, moderate to severe blood vessel lines. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments Severe facial redness and moderate to severe flushing. Learn More
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who want treatment.	Topical Treatments Some may be sensitive to these treatments. Caution must be taken with certain medical conditions. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, medications, skin characteristics and pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions or sensitivity. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments Brimonidine: High certainty evidence Oxymetazoline: Moderate certainty evidence Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments Low to moderate certainty evidence. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments There is some evidence that these medicines are helpful. Learn More
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Rare risk of skin irritation or break outs.	Topical Treatments No risk of serious side effects and some risk of non-serious side effects. No evidence of risk during pregnancy. Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments Rarely risk of serious side effects and some risk of non-serious side effects. Can be considered but with caution during pregnancy. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments Risk of some serious side effects and non serious side effects. Risk during pregnancy is unclear. Learn More
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment Use of foundation or make up may be inconvenient.	Topical Treatments Reminders for application are required. Time is required for proper application. Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments Require visits to a trained professional, time consuming, may require lifestyle changes post treatment, potential for temporary side effects. Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments Reminders for taking the pill (s) is required. Learn More
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment $ (foundation and makeup)	Topical Treatments $$$$ Learn More	Light / Laser Treatments $$$$ Learn More	Systemic (Pill) Treatments $+ Learn More

• Flushing+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light Treatments
  • Systemic Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light Treatments	x Systemic Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Flushing of rosacea can come and go, decrease, or increase. You can wait and see if features improve or clear.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments These treatments are taken by mouth. They travel through the body causing blood vessels to narrow and reduce blood flow. Learn More
  What types are there?	No Treatment NA. Monitor for possible triggers and minimize or avoid where possible. Consider coverup makeup or foundation.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Beta blockers: Propranolol Carvedilol
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with flushing of rosacea can choose to not receive treatment.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Severe ongoing facial redness and moderate to severe flushing. Learn More
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who wish to receive treatment.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions or sensitivity to the treatments. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments There is some evidence that these medicines are helpful. Learn More
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Without treatment, flushing of rosacea may go away, stay the same or get worse. Some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Risk of some serious side effects and non serious side effects. Risk during pregnancy is unclear. Learn More
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment No inconvenience but some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Involves taking pills regularly. Learn More
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment $ (Foundation and makeup)	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments $+ Learn More

• Pimples (Papules/Pustules)+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light Treatments
  • Systemic Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light Treatments	x Systemic Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Pimples of rosacea can come and go, decrease, or increase. You can wait and see if these improve or clear.	Topical Treatments These are applied onto the skin as lotions, gels, creams, and foams. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments These are taken by mouth. Learn More
  What types are there?	No Treatment Monitor for possible triggers and minimize or avoid where possible. Consider coverup makeup or foundation.	Topical Treatments Treatments include: Ivermectin Azelaic acid Metronidazole Minocycline	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Treatments include: Tetracyclines (e.g. minocycline, doxycycline) Azithromycin Isotretinoin
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with pimples of rosacea can choose to not receive treatment.	Topical Treatments Mild to severe pimples. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Moderate to severe pimples. Learn More
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who want treatment for pimples of rosacea.	Topical Treatments Some may be sensitive to these treatments. Caution must be taken with certain medical conditions. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Some treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, sensitivity to the treatments, or children/pregnant women. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments Ivermectin: High certainty evidence Metronidazole: Moderate certainty evidence Azelaic Acid: High certainty evidence Minocycline: Moderate certainty evidence Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Tetracyclines: High certainty evidence Azithromycin: Very low certainty evidence Isotretinoin: High certainty evidence Learn More
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Without treatment your pimples of rosacea may go away, stay the same or get worse. Some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression, and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments No risk of serious side effects and some risk of non-serious side effects. Some may have risks if taken during pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional for more details. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Risk of some serious side effects and non-serious side effects in adults and children. Some drugs are NOT to be taken during pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional for more details. Learn More
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment No treatment-related inconvenience involved.	Topical Treatments Reminders for application are required. Time is required for proper application of topical treatments. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Reminders for taking the pill(s) is required. Learn More
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment $ (Foundation and makeup)	Topical Treatments $$$$ Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments $-$$$ Learn More

• Skin Thickening (Phyma)+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light Treatments
  • Systemic Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light Treatments	x Systemic Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Phyma is skin thickening and is not likely to improve over time. Inflammation is typical in initial stages but resolved in later stages.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments These involve applying special light or laser devices to affected areas by trained professionals. Learn More	Systemic Treatments These treatments are taken by mouth. Learn More
  What types are there?	No Treatment N/A	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Treatments include: Ablative laser surgery (CO2, Er:YAG) Electrosurgery	Systemic Treatments Treatments include: Doxycycline Isotretinoin
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with features of rosacea can choose to not receive treatment.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Non-inflamed skin thickening. Learn More	Systemic Treatments Inflamed skin thickening. Learn More
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who want treatment for phyma.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, skin characteristics, taking certain medications, and in pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Systemic Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions or sensitivity to the treatments. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Limited evidence, but supported by clinicians from experience. Learn More	Systemic Treatments Case-based evidence shows benefits. Learn More
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Phyma does not usually go away by itself. Some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression, and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Rare risk of serious side effects and some risk of non-serious side effects. Can be considered but with caution during pregnancy. Learn More	Systemic Treatments Risk of some serious side effects and non-serious side effects. Some drugs are NOT to be taken during pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional for more details. Learn More
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment No treatment-related inconvenience involved.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Require visits to a trained professional, time consuming, may require lifestyle changes post treatment, potential for temporary side effects. Learn More	Systemic Treatments Reminders for taking the pill(s) is required. Learn More
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment $ (Foundation and makeup)	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments $$$+ Learn More	Systemic Treatments $+ Learn More

• Blood Vessel Lines (Telangiectases)+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light Treatments
  • Systemic Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light Treatments	x Systemic Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Cover up makeup or foundation may be considered. Prominent blood vessels lines (telangiectases) of rosacea do not usually go away by themselves.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments These involve applying special light or laser devices to affected areas by trained professionals. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  What types are there?	No Treatment Cover up makeup or foundation may be considered.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Vascular lasers (KTP532, PDL, Nd:YAG) IPL Electrosurgery	Systemic Treatments
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with telangiectases of rosacea can choose to not receive treatment.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Moderate and severe blood vessel lines. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who want to treat telangiectases of rosacea.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments These treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, medications, skin characteristics and in pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments While these treatments are widely used, current studies are small and evidence is limited. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Without treatment, telangiectases of rosacea stay the same or get worse. Some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Some risk of non-serious side effects. Not recommended during pregnancy. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment No treatment related inconvenience involved. Some people with rosacea experience anxiety, embarrassment, depression and lower quality of life.	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments Requiring visits to a trained professional, time consuming, may require lifestyle changes after treatment, potential for temporary side effects. Learn More	Systemic Treatments
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment No cost or cost of makeup and foundation $	Topical Treatments	Light Treatments $$$+ Learn More	Systemic Treatments

• Eye or Eyelid Problems (Ocular Rosacea)+

  Select the options you wish to compare

  • No Treatment
  • Topical Treatments
  • Light Treatments
  • Systemic Treatments

  	x No Treatment	x Topical Treatments	x Light Treatments	x Systemic Treatments
  What is it and how does it work?	No Treatment Eyelid and eye irritation from rosacea can come and go, decrease or increase. You can wait and see if features clear.	Topical Treatments These treatments are applied onto the eyelids as lotions and gels and eyes as droplets. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments These treatments are taken by mouth. Learn More
  What types are there?	No Treatment None.	Topical Treatments Artificial tears for eyes eyelid hygiene for eyes and eyelids Topical ivermectin and topical metronidazole for eyelids Topical cyclosporine for eyes under care of ocular specialist	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Oral doxycycline and omega-3 fatty acids for eyes.
  Who is it for?	No Treatment Anyone with rosacea can choose to not receive treatment.	Topical Treatments Mild, moderate, and severe eye/eyelid rosacea. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Oral doxycycline: Mild and moderate eye/eyelid rosacea. Omega-3 fatty acids: Mild, moderate, and severe eye rosacea. Learn More
  Who is it NOT for?	No Treatment People who do not want to wait for features to go away on their own or those who have eye or eyelid discomfort.	Topical Treatments Some people may be sensitive to these treatments. Caution must be taken with certain medical conditions. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Some treatments may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, or sensitivity to the treatments, or children/pregnant women. Talk to your health care professional to find out if this is right for you. Learn More
  How well does it work?	No Treatment Without treatment rosacea features may get better, worse or stay the same.	Topical Treatments Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Learn More
  What are the possible side effects?	No Treatment Without treatment your eye/eyelid features of rosacea may go away, stay the same or get worse. Some people eye involvement can develop visual problems and there is potential for blindness. See ophthalmologist if there is redness in white part of the eye, sudden pain or problems with vision, or eye/eyelid problems in children.	Topical Treatments No risk of serious side effects and some risk of non-serious side effects. No evidence of risk during pregnancy. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Risk of some serious side effects and non-serious side effects in adults and children. Some drugs are NOT to be taken during pregnancy. Talk to your health care professional for more details. Learn More
  Will it inconvenience me?	No Treatment No treatment related inconvenience involved.	Topical Treatments Topical treatments are applied to the eyes or eyelids once or more per day. Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments Requires swallowing a pill once or more each day. Learn More
  How much does it cost?	No Treatment None	Topical Treatments $-$$$$ Learn More	Light Treatments	Systemic Treatments $+ Learn More