In rosacea management, early Dx reduces morbidities
Dr. Maha Dutil talks about the importance of education and open dialogue in helping their patients manage their rosacea symptoms. (712 words, 4 min.)
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According to Dr. Maha Dutil, education and open dialogue are crucial for doctors helping their patients manage rosacea symptoms. She discussed treatment options and things to avoid during her talk on rosacea management at Skin Spectrum Summit in Toronto. Dr. Dutil also discussed the efficacy and safety of antibiotic doses for patients with skin types IV to VI.
“Early diagnosis and treatment will reduce morbidities,” Dr. Dutil said. “Counsel on skincare, sun protection and [avoiding] triggers. It takes a lot of time, but unless [pa- tients] do all these things, your therapeutic options do not work well.”
Many topical treatments are available to patients, such as metronidazole gel and 1% cream and azelaic acid gel 15%, which can be used for both acne and rosacea. Ivermectin 1% cream and brimonidine gel, which restricts the blood vessels to help reduce redness, can also be used. Benzoyl peroxide, an acne medication, helps papular, pustular rosacea.
When the disease is more severe, Dr. Dutil suggests using systemic antibiotics. To avoid altering the microbiomes, she says to use only anti-inflammatory doses of doxycycline. Isotretinoin can also be used in treatment.
For phymatous rosacea and vascular lesions, lasers can be used. Surgical interventions are also an option for phymatous rosacea.
Dr. Dutil says avoiding using an acne wash with salicylic or glycolic acid will aggravate rosacea symptoms. Instead, use a gentle cream. Additionally, sun protection is important. Dr. Dutil suggests using chemical-free sunscreens as chemical sunscreens tend to aggravate rosacea. Also, makeup can help cover the redness of rosacea symptoms.
There is a study showing that an antimicrobial dose of doxycycline can produce similar efficacy and safety in skin types IV to VI and skin types I to III.
The takeaway: “Prescribe effective treatments, topically and systemically, if needed,” said Dr. Dutil. “Let’s reduce the disparities in rosacea management.”
FROM THE LITERATURE ON ROSACEA
The Efficacy and Safety of Dual-Frequency Ultrasound for Improving Skin Hydration and Erythema in Patients with Rosacea and Acne
Dual-frequency ultrasound was found to be a safe and effective treatment for improving erythema in patients with rosacea, according to a recent study of 26 Asian patients. The treatment was given once per week over a four-week period, and both the clinician’s and the subject’s satisfaction score was significantly improved by the end of week four.
Successful Treatment of Corticosteroid-Induced Rosacea-Like Dermatitis with Platelet-Rich Plasma Mesotherapy: Report of Seven Cases
In a small study of seven Chinese patients, researchers found that platelet-rich plasma mesotherapy successfully treated corticosteroid-induced rosacea-like dermatitis. The authors said that the treatment could relieve sensitivity and inflammation by reducing erythema, telangiectasia, and papules.
The Association of Photo-induced Collagen Degeneration and the Development of Telangiectasias in Rosacea
According to a recent study, vessel growth and dilation may be affected by collagen content in rosacea patients' dermal matrix. The study measured mean collagen content in samples of healthy skin and rosacea samples and found a significantly greater range in rosacea samples.
AT THE INTERSECTION OF SKIN AND SOCIETY
In a recent opinion piece published in the Memorial University Gazette, Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi, dermatologist and Associate Dean of Social Accountability at the Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador reflected on the importance of Black History Month. In the article, Dr. Ogunyemi:
talked about challenging Western-centric worldviews;
called for a new approach to Indigenous health looked at through an anti-colonial lens;
discussed policy ideas; and
examined the history of health outcomes for Black and Indigenous Canadians.
“As we work toward a more just tomorrow, Black History Month is a time to re-assess from which perspective we view history and reflect on how we can seek a more complete understanding,” wrote Dr. Ogunyemi (pictured below). Read the full article here.
This Week
March 7 through March 13 is World Glaucoma Week
Monday, March 8 is International Women's Day
Thursday, March 18 and Saturday, March 20, Indigenous Skin Spectrum Summit
Something to think about during the week ahead…
Next Week
“Not every brown patch on the face is melasma, and not every white patch is vitiligo.” Dr. Andrew Alexis on diagnoses not to miss.
Contact us any time. We welcome your questions and comments on topics in Ethnodermatology.