On 27 August, 2013 it was reported in medicinenet.com that a new topical gel had been approved by the FDA, giving hope to millions of rosacea sufferers. The name of the new product is Mirvaso, containing the active ingredient, brimonodine tartrate. The rosacea gel is being manufactured by Galderma Laboratories, of Fort Worth, Texas and was approved following successful clinical trials with more than 550 patients.
Dr Mark Jackson of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, stated that the introduction of this new rosacea gel “marks a turning point in rosacea treatment.” Until now, physicians were only able to treat the bumps and pus filled pimply symptoms of rosacea while the facial redness that is its hallmark could only be treated with laser therapy. But this drug promises to provide a solution to the embarrassing red complexion that rosacea sufferers experience.
Rosacea is a chronic condition involving inflamed vascular vessels which among those who have it are closer to the surface of the face than they are with most people. Its cause is still unknown and since it is not life threatening, treatment options from the medical profession have been limited. Typical symptoms include a red flushed appearance on the cheeks and across the nose. Some sufferers experience pimply sores which are often mistaken for adult acne. In its more severe stages, it can produce a bulbous red nose with hardened scar tissue. Numerous rosacea triggers have been identified, including certain foods and beverages, changing weather conditions and emotional stress.
The approval of Mirvaso was also given the go ahead by the NHS in Britain and reported in the Daily Mail on 17 April 2014. Mirvaso’s effectiveness lies in its ability to restrict bloodflow to the upper layers of the skin. It is a clear gel which should be applied to the affected areas in pea sized amounts. It works within half an hour and is also effective for up to 12 hours. In the image below, you can see the difference this rosacea gel makes within just a few hours after application.
Rosacea is often discounted as rosy cheeks or blushing – and other symptoms are sometimes confused with acne or other health related conditions. Either way, it is embarrassing for the person experiencing it and can leave the sufferer with psychological and self-esteem problems. Reports have even been received of sufferers committing suicide. Apparently the active ingredient, briminodine tartrate, has been safely used for some time in eye drops.
If you’ve been diagnosed with rosacea and you’re not into pharmaceutical solutions like the rosacea gel outlined in the above article, there are a number of natural remedies which you may like to consider. We explore these on other Rosacea-Skin-Care.com pages.
