I’d suggest for you to visit a dermatologist – they are the experts at managing skin conditions such as rosacea.
Rosacea generally presents with redness and visible blood vessels like in your case, or it can also cause pustules (acne rosacea).
If not managed well with the right treatment, long-standing rosacea can cause blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) and the formation of styes, as well as a large bulbous nose or chin.
1. Prevention (is the best cure)
First of all, it’s necessary to reduce aggravating factors ie anything that warms up your face:
- Hot showers, exercise, saunas, direct sunlight, hot weather (I know that avoiding hot weather is a pain in Singapore)
- Spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol
- Stress and anxiety
When exercising, it’s helpful to apply a washcloth with cool water to your face immediately after to help shrink down the dilated blood vessels.
2. Best treatment for rosacea
The best treatment for redness caused by rosacea is customised. This may include topical creams, oral antibiotics, and sometimes, lasers.
Most patients with redness respond well to Finacea gel. The active ingredient is azelaic acid, which helps to significantly reduce redness. You’ll need a prescription to buy Finacea in Singapore.
Other topical treatments include metronidazole and sodium sulfacetamide.
Depending on the type and severity of your rosacea, the addition of oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline is sometimes required. Low-dose isotretinoin may also be used in certain cases.
For discrete, visible blood vessels, NdYAG or pulsed dye lasers work well too.
3. Cost in Singapore
Depends if you go via:
- Polyclinic letter > Subsidised NSC dermatologist route
- Private dermatologist route
