A review of the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea.

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and is associated with a number of etiological causes and inciting factors. It is characterized by erythematous changes of the facial skin, and commonly presents with papules, pustules, or telangiectasias. The 4 subtypes of rosacea are categorized according to secondary symptoms, such as pain, erythema, dryness, and edema. A number of therapies are available to treat rosacea, some of which can be used in combination. The mainstays of therapy are topical metronidazole, topical azelaic acid, and oral tetracyclines. Other pharmacotherapeutic interventions have been shown to improve the signs and symptoms of rosacea, although many of these have not yet received approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for this indication.