In addition to improving the clinical signs of rosacea, topical ivermectin, an FDA-approved antiparasitic agent for papulopustular rosacea, also may be effective because it alters the bacterial composition of the skin, according to a recent National Rosacea Society-funded study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.¹

Managing rosacea can seem like a daunting task sometimes. Between finding a skin care routine that works, using prescriptions and avoiding triggers it can feel like a lot. Luckily, there are tools available to make building a rosacea management routine easier. One is James Clear’s bestselling book, Atomic Habits, which breaks down the science behind building good habits and breaking bad ones.

A recent National Rosacea Society survey on regimen consistency found that most rosacea sufferers are good at maintaining a consistent skin care and treatment program. Among the 220 respondents, over 75% practiced gentle skin care in the morning or evening five or more days out of the last seven. Over 65% reported using their topical medications regularly as well. The percentage of respondents reporting consistent use of oral medications was split, with 60% taking their prescriptions one or fewer times in the past week and 40% taking it five or more times. 

Targeted rosacea therapies can lead to facial skin free of redness and blemishes, but only if these two key elements are also in place: the patient’s commitment to consistent adherence to the treatment plan and the patience to let it work. The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has designated April as Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on this conspicuous, life-disruptive facial disorder affecting 16 million Americans, and urge those who may have it to see a dermatologist for diagnosis and therapy tailored to their individual case.

Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products have an important role to play in the healing cycle of rosacea by helping to repair the skin barrier, which is often damaged in skin affected by the disorder.

It may be tempting for rosacea patients to stop treatment once their signs and symptoms have cleared up. But studies show that when used consistently according to directions, long-term medical therapy can slow or halt the progression of the disease and help maintain remission.

New recommendations urging dermatologists to place greater emphasis on persistent redness in rosacea were recently published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Titled “Update on Facial Erythema in Rosacea,” the article was based on a recent NRS roundtable to discuss this key aspect of the disorder in light of its recently updated standard classification system and standard management options, new burden-of-illness study results, and significant advances in medical therapy and patient care.

Physicians at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology discussed the many factors that may influence the effectiveness of medical therapy. 

Antibiotic resistance remains a concern among physicians and patients alike, said Dr. James Del Rosso, adjunct clinical professor of dermatology, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He noted that dermatologists tend to use antibiotics with patients for a longer period of time because they typically are used for their anti-inflammatory effects rather than to treat an infection. 

As with other chronic disorders that may involve multiple symptoms, a new NRS survey of 1,534 rosacea patients has documented that more than one therapy is often used over the course of managing the condition.

Nearly 80 percent of respondents reported that they had been prescribed more than one medication for their rosacea. Twenty-five percent had been prescribed two medications over the course of treatment, while 22 percent had used three and 29 percent four or more. 

In today’s increasingly complex health care system, it can be important to know the ins and outs of prescription insurance coverage in order to receive the medication that is intended by your doctor.

“With adequate knowledge, rosacea patients are empowered to take proactive measures that may be necessary to receive medical therapy appropriate for their individual cases,” said Dr. John Wolf, chairman of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine.  “This can be especially important when prior authorizations and ‘step edits’ are required.”