Rosacea Specialist

What is rosacea?

Commonly mistaken for acne and other skin problems, rosacea is a common skin condition that produces visible blood vessels in your face that appear as blushing or flushing and sometimes causes small, pus-filled bumps to appear on your skin.

Rosacea can affect anyone, but it most commonly occurs in middle-aged, white women. Though there’s no definitive cure for this condition, certain treatments can reduce the signs and symptoms of rosacea. At Wake Forest Dermatology, Dr. Matheis provides treatment options to control your skin conditions and boost your confidence.

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

You may have rosacea if you experience signs and symptoms like:

• Visible blood vessels on your nose and cheeks
• Blushing or flushing in the center of your face
• Swollen bumps sometimes containing pus
• Burning sensation on your face
• Thickened skin on your nose

You may also experience dry, irritated, or swollen eyes and eyelids if you have rosacea, known as ocular rosacea. The symptoms can start to develop before you notice skin symptoms. 

What causes rosacea?

While there’s no known cause of rosacea, medical professionals believe it could be due to environmental factors, such as temperature extremes and exposure to sun or wind, or having an overactive immune system. Alcoholic beverages, exercise, spicy foods, and certain cosmetic products may also trigger flare-ups of rosacea. 

How do you treat rosacea?

At Wake Forest Dermatology, Dr. Matheis provides treatment for rosacea with prescription, topical drugs that reduce flushing, oral antibiotics for moderate to severe symptoms, and oral acne drugs for more severe rosacea that fails to respond to other treatments. She may also suggest laser treatment to make your enlarged blood vessels appear less visible. 

You may not notice immediate results when you receive treatment for rosacea; however, if you remain consistent with your medications and therapy, you will see a visible difference after a few weeks. 

To evaluate your rosacea and learn more about your treatment options, call Wake Forest Dermatology or use the online booking tool today to schedule an appointment.