ETR Rosacea Treatment In Gainesville, FL

Rosacea Treatment For ETR Subtype 1

Perhaps your facial redness began slowly with occasional rosy cheeks, sudden sensations of warmth and pinkening of your cheeks, or uncomfortable skin inflammation and redness after you eat or drink certain items. If this resonates with you, you may have erythematotelangiectatic rosacea or ETR. ETR, also called rosacea subtype 1, is marked by recurring episodes of flushing, persistent erythema (redness) in the central face, and it may also cause stinging, burning facial swelling, and telangiectasias (small, wide blood vessels in the skin). Rosacea, particularly inflammatory rosacea, can cause severe discomfort and emotional distress to those suffering from its chronic flare-ups and symptoms.

Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) condition without any known cure. However, identifying and pursuing the right treatment with the help of your dermatologist in Gainesville, FL, can relieve your symptoms and help you avoid triggers and flare-ups. Our dermatology team offers advanced treatments for a wide variety of skin conditions, including erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Contact our office today to book an appointment for rosacea treatment.

What Is Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea?

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, also known as ETR rosacea, subtype 1 rosacea, and vascular rosacea, is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, dryness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. As the most common subtype of rosacea, ETR accounts for more than half of cases. The unwieldy name of this condition combines erythema (superficial reddening of the skin) with telangiectasia (widened blood vessels located below the skin's surface). Patients with this form of rosacea experience an increase in facial redness that may develop and quickly dissipate, or they may experience persistent facial redness and permanently dilated blood vessels on their skin.

They may also experience symptoms of irritation to their skin. ETR often occurs in combination with other components of rosacea, like pimples, pustules, or papules that resemble acne, eye irritation, and in some cases, skin thickening. Signs and symptoms of this subtype of rosacea can occur at inopportune times, resulting in embarrassment, discomfort, and a lower overall quality of life.

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea Symptoms

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea produces symptoms that match what most individuals think of when they picture rosacea. In many cases, erythematotelangiectatic rosacea symptoms share numerous similarities with what you might think of as standard rosacea symptoms, like flushing, facial redness, visible dilated blood vessels, inflamed acne-like lesions, inflammation, and hot, burning, or stinging sensations on the skin. Signs of rosacea ETR include the following. Rosacea subtype 1 can affect any part of the body with skin, but it commonly affects the nose, cheeks, forehead, chin, neck, and chest. In many cases, persistent redness occurs in the central areas of the face.

Flushed or reddened skin
Redness at the center of the face
Swollen skin
Visible blood vessels
Sensitive skin
Stinging and burning sensations
Hot, inflamed sensations
Rough, dry, and scaly skin

Telangiectasia
Increased facial blood flow
Sensitivity to certain triggers
Eye irritation
Skin tightness
Irregular skin texture
Itchy skin

How Common Is Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea?

Among the four rosacea subtypes, which include erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (subtype 1), papulopustular rosacea (subtype 2), phymatous rosacea (subtype 3), and ocular rosacea (subtype 4), erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is the most common, affecting more than half of individuals with rosacea. Individuals may experience ETR rosacea signs and symptoms alone or in combination with signs and symptoms of other subtypes of rosacea, such as thickening of the skin, eye irritation or conditions, pus-filled acne-like pustules and papules, or rhinophyma (thickening of the skin on the nose).

What Causes Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea?

The causes of rosacea are complicated and not yet well understood. While the exact vascular rosacea causes are unknown, there are several factors that are believed to contribute to the development of the condition. One potential factor contributing to the development of ETR rosacea is genetics. Individuals with a family history of rosacea are more likely to develop the condition themselves, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to ETR. Another possible factor is the abnormal functioning of the blood vessels.

Individuals with this form of rosacea often have blood vessels that are more dilated and more numerous than those without the condition, which may contribute to facial redness and visible blood vessels. Certain environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and wind, may also contribute to the development of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Certain foods and drinks, such as spicy foods and alcoholic beverages, may also trigger symptoms. Because inflammation has been identified as a common feature in people with ETR, researchers think an overactive immune system may be involved in this condition.

How Is Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea Diagnosed?

No specific tests are used to diagnose erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Instead, your dermatologist relies on the history of your symptoms and a thorough examination of your skin to diagnose rosacea. Your doctor may recommend you undergo certain tests to rule out other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, such as psoriasis. Research shows that in people of color, rosacea can sometimes be missed or misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction to the skin or a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. Your dermatologist may also ask you about any triggers that seem to worsen your symptoms or result in flare-ups.

How Do You Treat Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea?

The primary goal of vascular rosacea treatment is to help patients identify and avoid their triggers and identify the therapy or combination of therapies and solutions that help them control the signs and symptoms of their condition. In many cases, rosacea treatment requires a combination of prescription medication, dermatology treatments and therapies, and good skincare. The duration and specific type or types of treatment depend on the type and severity of your signs and symptoms. For more information, contact Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery.

Prescription Medications

Unlike the red pumps and pustules characteristic of subtype 2 rosacea, no oral medications have been found to treat the persistent redness associated with vascular rosacea, though they may become available in the future. In treating ETR rosacea, patients are often prescribed topical medications rather than oral antibiotics. Topical medications prescribed to you may come in a form of a cream, gel, or ointment.

Dermatology Treatments

Visible blood vessels and severe facial redness can be effectively treated with in-office laser treatments, such as VBeam® laser, potentially requiring several sessions and potential touch-up sessions thereafter for optimal improvements to the appearance of the skin. Laser therapy may also be beneficial for those seeking to improve the appearance and condition of their skin due to the development of thickened skin, redness, and spider veins or visible blood vessels in the affected areas. Additionally, when performed by trained skincare specialists, custom facials and treatments like microdermabrasion may prove beneficial for patients seeking clinical relief from their rosacea symptoms.

Skincare For Rosacea

Effectively managing your ocular rosacea symptoms requires a special skincare regimen. Your dermatologist can help you create an individualized skincare regimen that best meets the needs of your skin and your condition. As part of your customized, comprehensive treatment plan, your dermatologist will recommend a rosacea-friendly skincare regimen to help facilitate healthy, beautiful skin while helping treat common rosacea signs and symptoms. To help reduce ocular rosacea symptoms, your dermatologist may recommend washing the skin around your eyes with ph-balanced cleansers, avoiding makeup if your eyes are inflamed, avoiding wearing contact lenses during flare-ups, and wearing a dermatologist-approved, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Avoiding Rosacea Triggers

Identifying and avoiding your specific rosacea triggers is key to managing your symptoms and reducing the occurrence of flare-ups and worsening of symptoms. Individuals suffering from ocular rosacea symptoms should avoid foods and drinks that trigger their ETR rosacea, which for most people includes avoiding spicy foods and alcohol whenever possible. Additionally, you should make certain lifestyle modifications that help you avoid flare-ups from your triggers. Your triggers will be unique to you.

Once you successfully identify what can aggravate your ocular rosacea, you can avoid it as much as possible and reduce your recurring symptoms and flare-ups. In addition to certain foods and beverages, identifying and avoiding environmental factors that trigger your rosacea symptoms can help you manage your symptoms. Your rosacea triggers may be unique to you. The following comprises some of the most common triggers for rosacea flare-ups.

Spicy foods
Hot beverages
Alcohol
Caffeine

Emotional stress, such as anxiety
Extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
Exposure to sunlight
Rigorous physical activity