Review of Pharmacologic Treatment for the Erythema of Rosacea

Review of Pharmacologic Treatment for the Erythema of Rosacea. Rosasea is a chronic dermatologic disorder that affects an estimated 16 million adults in the United States. Rosacea has four main subtypes: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular rosacea. Facial erythema is the hallmark of rosacea and the mandatory criterion for its diagnosis. The facial erythema of rosacea usually consists of persistent redness that is confluent and macular in presentation, as well as perilesional redness that surrounds individual papules and pustules. Topical oxymetazoline and brimonidine are effective for the management of persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea with a few mild and localized adverse effects. Further long term research is imperative to further understand their long term effects.