
Are beta-blockers an effective treatment option for rosacea?
Oral β-blockers could be an effective treatment option for patients with rosacea with facial erythema and flushing that does not respond to conventional therapy. Larger prospective trials with objective outcome assessment are needed to validate the promising results of these studies.
What are the best treatments for rosacea?
The FDA has also approved other treatments for rosacea, including: According to a 2018 review, studies suggest that certain antibiotics, beta-blockers, and laser or light therapy may also help relieve symptoms of rosacea. Your recommended treatment approach will vary depending on the specific symptoms you have.
What drugs may worsen rosacea?
Some Drugs May Worsen Rosacea. "Rosacea can worsen for some patients from taking vasodilator drugs because of their ability to dilate the blood vessels," he said. "Beta blockers and niacin (vitamin B3) may also cause blood to rush to the face, resulting in a rosacea flare-up.". In addition, long-term use of topical steroids has been found...
Do Dermatologists use blood pressure drugs to treat rosacea?
In some cases, dermatologists say they shy away from using a drug that is technically a blood-pressure, not a dermatological, medication. That makes its use to treat rosacea technically off-label.

Do beta-blockers make rosacea worse?
"Rosacea can worsen for some patients from taking vasodilator drugs because of their ability to dilate the blood vessels," he said. "Beta blockers and niacin (vitamin B3) may also cause blood to rush to the face, resulting in a rosacea flare-up."
Do beta-blockers reduce facial redness?
Beta-blockers may reduce erythema by vasoconstricting cutaneous vessels. Nonselective beta-blockers seem promising in treating erythema and flushing in rosacea that does not respond to conventional therapy, with most evidence available for carvedilol and propranolol.
Does propranolol help with facial flushing?
Articles studying carvedilol and propranolol showed a large reduction of erythema and flushing during treatment with a rapid onset of symptom control.
Does propranolol help skin?
Our data clearly indicate that, based on its molecular impact on immune complex-activated neutrophils, propranolol is a potential treatment option for neutrophil-mediated inflammatory skin diseases.
What is the best beta blocker for blushing?
In our experience, 20 to 40 milligrams of propranolol, taken along with 0.25 milligram of alprazolam forty to sixty minutes prior to a situation that typically triggers blushing, is usually quite effective.
How do you cool down a rosacea flush?
How to calm rosacea flare-upsSoothe skin with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.Use a humidifier to prevent dry air from removing moisture from the skin.Drink enough water to stay hydrated and prevent the skin from drying.Dip a towel in cold water and drape it around the neck.More items...•
Which blood pressure medications can cause rosacea?
Vasodilators, a common class of blood pressure medications that open up the blood vessels, have been linked with increases in acne and rosacea, although there's no scientific consensus. Drugs in this category are benazepril (Lotensin), hydralazine (Apresoline), and minoxidil (Loniten).
Can beta-blockers cause skin problems?
The skin rashes most commonly associated with beta-blockers include lichenoid eruptions, aggravation of pre-existing SLE, drug induced lupus, exacerbation of Raynaud's, syndrome, xerosis with itching and photosensitivity reactions (Beltrani).
What is propranolol usually prescribed for?
Propranolol slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It's usually prescribed for high blood pressure and other heart problems, but it can also help with the physical signs of anxiety, like sweating and shaking.
Do you gain weight on propranolol?
Secondly, Propranolol causes your body to retain more fluid than normal, leading to an increase in your body weight. This weight gain isn't usually noticeable (around a few pounds is average), and it is also far less likely at the dose used for anxiety treatment (the 10mg tablets).
Does propranolol help acne?
However, the mechanism by which propranolol causes acne is not clear. 4 Studies suggest that it inhibits the increase in postprandial serum free fatty acids and reduces the same following epinephrine infusion, consequently affecting sebum production.
Do beta blockers cause acne?
The mechanism of acne resulting from beta-blockers is not clear. However, a rare adverse effect of beta-block- ers is agranulocytosis. I* This adverse effect could lead to a local suppression of the immune system leaving the skin more vulnerable to infection from lipase-producing bacte- ria.
What happens when you suddenly stop taking propranolol?
Stopping propranolol suddenly can cause serious side effects that might include sweating, shaking, and an irregular heartbeat or chest pain. Go to your doctor if you want to stop, or if you are having these effects. You might feel sleepy or dizzy in the first few days after taking propranolol.
Do beta blockers cause weight gain?
Yes. Weight gain can occur as a side effect of some beta blockers. The average weight gain is about 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms). Weight gain is more likely with older beta blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL).
What is the best treatment for rosacea?
Paul Hazen is one of only a few dermatologists who prescribes a simple, inexpensive remedy that, for some people, is a virtual cure for this form of rosacea -- a low dose of a beta blocker, such as Inderal (propranolol). "You can control the diffuse ruddiness by stabilizing it with beta blockers," says Hazen, whose practice is in Westlake.
Why does my face turn red?
But it's most common manifestation is as a flushed complexion that seems to become redder when it's aggravated by any number of triggers: sun, alcohol, spicy food or stress. Dermatologists often prescribe creams to treat the exaggerated flushing and other symptoms, though that's not a cure.
Can you kill two birds with one stone with beta blockers?
But, she says, it's good to hear about another doctor's success, such as Hazen's with beta blockers. "Migraines are considered a vascular condition," she says. "So you can kill two birds with one stone with a beta blocker, and for a healthy person, it should be no problem.
Is rosacea a blood pressure medication?
In some cases, dermatologists say they shy away from using a drug that is technically a blood-pressure, not a dermatological, medication. That makes its use to treat rosacea technically off-label.
What is the best treatment for rosacea?
The FDA has also approved other treatments for rosacea, including: ivermectin. azelaic acid. brimonidine. metronidazole. sulfacetamide/sulphur. According to a 2018 review, research suggests that certain antibiotics, beta-blockers, and laser or light therapy may also help relieve symptoms of rosacea. Your recommended treatment approach will vary ...
What is the FDA approved medication for rosacea?
In 2017, the FDA approved the use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride cream to treat persistent facial redness caused by rosacea.
What are the different types of rosacea?
Experts have traditionally classified rosacea into four subtypes: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea involves flushing, persistent redness, and visible blood vessels or “spider veins” on the face. Papulopustular rosacea involves redness, swelling, and acne-like papules or pustules on the face.
How do you know if you have rosacea?
Instead of dividing rosacea into distinct subtypes, the updated standards focus on different features of the condition. You may be diagnosed with rosacea if you develop persistent facial redness, thickened facial skin, or two or more of the following features: flushing.
How to learn about rosacea treatment?
To learn more about experimental treatments for rosacea, talk to your doctor or visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Your doctor can help you learn about the potential benefits and risks of taking part in clinical trials.
What diseases can you get from rosacea?
A review the National Rosacea Society Expert Committee conducted found that if you have rosacea, you may be at increased risk for: gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Can rosacea be multiple subtypes?
Many people don’t develop the traditional distinct subtypes of rosacea. Instead, people may experience symptoms of multiple subtypes at the same time. Their symptoms may also change over time. For example, you may develop flushing or persistent redness as your first symptom of rosacea.
What are the triggers for rosacea?
According to an NRS patient survey, the most common rosacea triggers include sun exposure, stress, hot or cold weather, wind, heavy exercise, alcohol, hot baths and spicy foods. ...
What medications can help with flushing?
For example, physicians may prescribe aspirin or similar agents, antihistamines and other medications to help reduce flushing from substances that cause the blood vessels to dilate -- such as alcohol, certain drugs, the vitamin niacin or certain of the body's own chemicals such as histamine.
Does rosacea cure pustules?
Medications have been extensively studied, as well as approved by the FDA, to treat the papules (bumps) and pustules (pimples) of rosacea, and their long-term use has been shown to significantly reduce recurrence. 1.
Can rosacea be controlled with multiple options?
Flushing Controlled With Multiple Options. Although flushing may be the most difficult component of rosacea to treat, it can be controlled with a variety of options that must be tailored to each individual -- including medications for severe cases -- according to physicians now developing standard disease management options as part ...
How to treat rosacea on face?
Pat your face gently with a clean, cotton towel. Moisturize every day. Whether rosacea makes your skin dry or oily, it’s important to moisturize. Moisturizing helps hydrate your skin by trapping water in your skin. This can reduce irritation and make your skin feel more comfortable.
What can I do to help my rosacea?
Making these tips a part of your skin care routine can help you take better care of your rosacea-prone skin. If you have trouble finding skin care products or makeup that doesn’t irritate your skin, a dermatologist can assist you. A dermatologist can examine your skin and recommend products for your skin’s specific needs.
How to prevent rosacea flare ups?
To reduce rosacea flare-ups caused by the sun, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen . To protect your skin, apply a sunscreen to your face every day before going outdoors. Even on cloudy days, it helps to apply sunscreen .
How can I make a difference with rosacea?
Even if you’re already treating your rosacea, the right skin care can make a noticeable difference. A rosacea friendly skin care routine can: Help your skin feel more comfortable. Improve the results you see from treatment. Boost your skin’s overall health. Reduce rosacea flare-ups. To help patients who have rosacea with skin care, ...
How often should I wash my face for rosacea?
To help patients who have rosacea with skin care, dermatologists offer these tips: Cleanse your face twice a day — very gently. According to dermatologist Mark Dahl, MD, patients who have rosacea often don’t wash rosacea-prone skin enough. That’s understandable if your skin already feels irritated.
How often should I apply rosacea cream?
In one small study, patients applied a rosacea treatment (metronidazole gel) to their face twice a day. They also applied a gentle, non-irritating moisturizing cream twice a day to one side of their face. After 15 days, the moisturized side of their face had less dryness, peeling, and roughness.
What SPF should I use for rosacea?
SPF 30 or higher. Choose rosacea friendly skin care products. When you have rosacea, many skin care products and cosmetics can irritate your skin. While gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection can help reduce this sensitivity, you also want to choose your skin care products and makeup carefully.
