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What Is Rosacea?

Rosacea is characterized by flare-ups on the face, such as redness or bumps and blemishes2. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the exact cause of rosacea. Symptoms can flare up, fade and then come back. It is important to learn how to properly identify and treat rosacea with your dermatologist to help prevent symptoms from getting worse.

At Galderma, we’re here to help educate you about rosacea, and better equip you for your consultation.

The Burden of Rosacea

Who Gets Rosacea?

Men and women of every skin type can be diagnosed with rosacea, but some groups are more prone to it. Some indicators of rosacea prone skin are:3

  • Fair skinned woman with Rosacea

    Not an actual patient.

    If you are of Irish, German, or English ancestry and have fair skin, there’s a good chance you could develop rosacea

  • Man with skin thickening, one of the more severe symptoms of rosacea

    Not an actual patient.

    More women than men have rosacea, but severe symptoms like skin thickening occur more often in men

  • African American woman with rosacea that she inherited from her family

    Not an actual patient.

    A family history of rosacea makes it more likely that you or other family members may have it too

  • African American man between the ages of 30 and 60 with rosacea

    Not an actual patient.

    Rosacea has historically appeared between the age of 30 and 60

95% of patients diagnosed with rosacea knew little or nothing about the condition until they were diagnosed.4

Symptoms

Rosacea symptoms can be different for everyone. Some people display just one symptom, while others show multiple.3,5 These symptoms are the most common:

  • Facial redness (Erythema)
    Rosacea symptoms picture: Facial redness (Erythema)

    For many people, facial redness is the most noticeable symptom of rosacea. Sometimes mistaken for blushing or sensitivity to sunlight, rosacea takes on a distinctive pattern, affecting the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead near the center of the face.

  • Bumps and blemishes (Inflammatory lesions)
    Rosacea symptoms picture: Bumps and blemishes (Inflammatory lesions)

    Acne-like breakouts are another common characteristic of rosacea. While these bumps and blemishes might resemble acne, treating them with certain acne medications can upset sensitive skin (common with rosacea) and make the condition even worse.

  • Skin thickening (Rhinophyma)
    Rosacea symptoms picture: Skin thickening (Rhinophyma)

    A more rare type of rosacea causes the skin to thicken and develop a bumpy texture. Skin may thicken on the chin, forehead, cheeks and ears, but mostly affects the nose.

  • Eye Irritation (Ocular Rosacea)
    Rosacea symptoms picture: Eye Irritation (Ocular Rosacea)

    Rosacea can also affect the eyes, causing redness and a gritty, itchy feeling that burns or stings. Ocular rosacea can even lead to light sensitivity and blurred vision.

Think you might have rosacea?

Consult your dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and to learn more about Galderma’s line of topical and oral rosacea treatments that might be right for you.

Find a Treatment

Important Safety Information for ORACEA® (doxycycline) 40 mg* Capsules

Indication: ORACEA Capsules are indicated for the treatment of only inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adult patients. ORACEA Capsules do not lessen the facial redness caused by rosacea. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (>2%) in patients treated with ORACEA Capsules were nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, diarrhea, hypertension and aspartate aminotransferase increase. Warnings/Precautions: ORACEA Capsules should not be used to treat or prevent infections. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken by patients who have a known hypersensitivity to doxycycline or other tetracyclines. ORACEA Capsules should not be taken during pregnancy, by nursing mothers, or during tooth development (up to the age of 8 years). Although photosensitivity was not observed in clinical trials, ORACEA Capsules patients should minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight. The efficacy of ORACEA Capsules treatment beyond 16 weeks and safety beyond 9 months have not been established. Click here to view the full prescribing information for ORACEA Capsules.

*30 mg immediate release & 10 mg delayed release beads

Important Safety Information for EPSOLAY® (benzoyl peroxide) Cream, 5%

Indication: EPSOLAY® (benzoyl peroxide) Cream, 5% is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Adverse Events: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 1%) in patients treated with EPSOLAY Cream were pain, erythema (redness), pruritus (itching) and edema (swelling), all at the application site. Warnings/Precautions: Patients using EPSOLAY Cream may experience hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis (acute allergic reaction), angioedema (rapid swelling), and urticaria (hives). If serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue use of EPSOLAY Cream immediately and seek medical attention/initiate appropriate therapy. Skin Irritation/contact dermatitis may be experienced, including erythema (redness), scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning. Irritation and contact dermatitis may occur. Use a moisturizer and discontinue EPSOLAY Cream if symptoms do not improve. Avoid application to cuts, abrasions, eczematous, or sunburned skin. EPSOLAY Cream may increase photosensitivity, sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning beds or UVA/B treatment). Use sunscreen or protective clothing when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Discontinue use of EPSOLAY Cream at the first evidence of sunburn.

Important Safety Information for SOOLANTRA® (ivermectin) Cream, 1%

Indication: SOOLANTRA Cream is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use. Adverse Events: In clinical trials with SOOLANTRA Cream, the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≤ 1 %) included skin burning sensation and skin irritation.

Important Safety Information for MIRVASO® (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33%†

Indication: MIRVASO Gel is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation and contact dermatitis. Warnings/Precautions: MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Alpha‐2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. MIRVASO Gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of MIRVASO Gel by children have been reported. Keep MIRVASO Gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. Click here to view full prescribing information for MIRVASO Gel.

†Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of brimonidine tartrate, equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Select a Brand for Prescribing and Safety Information:

*30 mg immediate release & 10 mg delayed release beads
†Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of brimonidine tartrate, equivalent to 3.3 mg of brimonidine free base.

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