Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that shows up on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. It’s most common in women between the ages of 30 and 40, and causes bouts of skin flushing. If it’s left untreated, rosacea can develop into permanent redness, spots, or visible blood vessels. Skin around the nose may become thicker after many years.

In some cases, you may experience dry eyes or crusts around the eyelashes, as well as inflamed eyelids. Rosacea can sometimes be confused with acne, contact dermatitis, or keratosis pilaris. We'd recommend speaking to a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms.

It’s important to manage the symptoms of rosacea before they get worse. Many people find they have ‘triggers’ for their symptoms, so take note of how your skin reacts to:

• Stress

• Intense exercise

• Cold temperatures or harsh winds

• Exposure to sunlight

• Alcohol and caffeine

• Dietary triggers such as spicy foods

• Hormonal changes like the menopause

In some cases, medications can make your symptoms worse. Blood pressure treatments such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers can make a difference, so you should always speak to a doctor.

While there’s no cure for rosacea, there are medications and other treatments to manage the symptoms. Nothing should stop you from living a healthy, happy life, so make sure you’re on top of how your skin reacts to triggers to find the best treatments.

Our Online Doctor service can recommend the best medications depending on your symptoms. You can also try the following to help manage your rosacea:

• Water-based makeup and alcohol-free cleansers can cover redness

• Sun protection such as SPF50 cream or sunhats to prevent sunburn

• Stress-related rosacea can be managed with sleep, exercise and a healthy diet

• Spots can be treated with creams, gels or oral antibiotics

In more severe cases, Rozex metronidazole creams or gels treat pustules and papules. You can also try Skinoren cream or Soolantra ivermectin cream.

If our online GPs think your case is more severe, we can prescribe oral antibiotics to use alongside creams and gels. These include erythromycin and oxytetracycline.

Rosacea affects around one in 10 people in the UK, so it’s more common than you might think. Feeling flushed or worrying about skin blemishes can have a damaging effect on our confidence. We may feel unable to interact in social situations or anxious and depressed.

At Pharmacy2U, we understand that rosacea goes far beyond the skin alone. That’s why we’re here to offer you fast and effective treatment without stress. Get started today.