Rosacea May Be An Incurable, But There Are Treatments That Can Help

Rosacea, a common skin condition that affects the face, isn’t curable, but it is treatable.

For millions of adults, the condition starts with mild blemishes and redness. Then it goes away. When it returns, it’s a bit worse. They try over-the-counter remedies, but the condition keeps coming back.

An estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea, according to the National Rosacea Society, but “only a small fraction are being treated.”

Like Sara Beth Glausier, an LPN who lives in Windermere, they don’t realize what they’re dealing with. “I had breakouts as a teenager on my forehead and chin,” says Glausier, 48. “As I got into my 20s, I started breaking out around my nose and cheeks. I thought it was just my genetics and I just dealt with it.”

The cause of rosacea is unknown; genes may play a role, but researchers are focusing on other possibilities, including flushing, inflammatory pathways, and an excess of Demodex mites, which are a natural part of the human microbiome.