CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Rosacea - Management
How should I follow up a person with rosacea?
- Advise the person to return if the condition deteriorates despite lifestyle changes or drug treatment.
- Arrange to follow up after 12 weeks in people requiring treatment, to assess effectiveness and determine future management.
- If treatment has been effective, it may be stopped. However, advise the person that their rosacea may relapse, requiring restarting the same treatment. Options include:
- Maintenance treatment. This may be continuous (e.g. a reduced dose of oral treatment for 2–6 months followed by a 'drug holiday') or intermittent (e.g. using a topical treatment on alternate days or twice a week).
- 'Stepping down' from oral to topical treatment.
- If treatment has not been satisfactory:
- For people receiving topical treatment, consider switching to a different topical treatment, or prescribing an oral antibiotic.
- For people receiving an oral antibiotic, consider adding a topical treatment, or seek specialist advice. Switching to an alternative oral antibiotic is unlikely to be of benefit.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement