Diagnosing & Treating Rosacea Online

Rosacea is a very common skin disease that commonly appears in people who blush or flush easily. The redness from blushing can slowly spread beyond the cheeks to the nose, forehead, chin, ears, chest and back.

The condition is also known as adult acne and is incurable, but is treatable. Rosacea may be mistaken for rosy cheeks, sunburn, an allergic reaction and most often, acne.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but there are many triggers for the condition. These triggers include:

  • Spicy foods
  • Hot drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Sunlight or harsh winds
  • Emotions
  • Exercise
  • Cosmetics
  • Drugs that dilate blood vessels

If you have persistent redness on your face, this could be rosacea and you should see your online doctor, PCP or dermatologist. You and your physician can help determine the severity of your rosacea and what type of treatment is needed, or if a referral to a dermatologist or specialist is required.

During a video consult on TelaCare your doctor will ask you a series of targeted questions to determine if your symptoms point to rosacea. Then your provider will proceed to determine the best treatment plan for you. Your provider may recommend in-person examination by a specialist if this is needed. Your treatment plan is based on the duration and severity of your symptoms and your medical history.

Our platform has an image upload feature that is extremely helpful for both providers and patients. With this feature, our physicians can get a precise, detailed look at your outbreak before the visit even begins. This feature is also very useful to see how your rosacea has progressed. If your rash has been present for a few days and you have a picture from the first day, it is helpful for our providers to see the comparison. When the outbreak is on your face, this feature is useful for those that wear makeup – you can take a picture when you have a clean face, save it and upload before your visit! For best results we recommend pictures be taken in bright, natural light, close to the outbreak and from a few different angles. If you can give a size perspective, like laying a dime near the rash, this can be extremely helpful, as well.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will go over the risks and benefits of the various treatment plans. Treatment for rosacea is different depending on the severity.

Options for treatment of rosacea may include:

  • Over-the-counter topical ointments
  • Medications that reduce redness
  • A prescription for oral antibiotics
  • In extreme cases, laser therapy or pulsed light therapy may be suggested

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Got Questions? We've got answers.

See below for answers to some of our most common questions. You can also call us anytime 24 hours a day at 1-800-317-0280 to speak to a medical professional about your symptoms or conditions.



 What are some home remedies for painful, cystic acne?

When someone experiences cystic acne, it’s important they stick to a regular skin care routine that includes specialized soaps, moisturizers, and toners. Other remedies include icing the acne so that the blood vessels will contract, avoiding popping the pimples, and regularly washing all items that may touch your face including your towels and pillowcases.

 Can an online dermatologist determine if a skin growth is cancerous?

If you have skin lesions that fit the ABCDE criteria, in that they are Asymmetric with jagged Borders, multiple Colors, a Diameter larger than a pencil, and have been Evolving (you have observed them change over time) -- then you will likely need a biopsy to test for melanoma.

The ABCDE algorithm is just one of many tests a trained dermatologist uses in assessing risk of skin lesions, if you are unsure about whether your lesion merits a biopsy an online dermatologist can quickly examine your skin and either exclude the possibility of it being malignant or tell you that you have sufficient risk factors to merit going in person for testing.

 Does TelaCare offer refunds?

No, All sales are final, and no refunds will be offered or accepted on services purchased from TelaCare. As we are a medical benefits company like any other benefit, once you accept our terms and conditions, you have purchased our services and accept this refund policy as a whole. Services can be canceled in the system at your discretion under account settings if your account is completed. Your satisfaction with your purchase is essential to us. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason, please contact us at support@telacare.com


 Can I get a prescription online?

Yes, in general you can get a prescription online. There is support for this nationwide, however there are several exceptions. 


 Do I need to schedule an appointment?

TelaCare is designed for on-demand care so no appointment is necessary. After you register and log in to TelaCare, the next available doctor will see you. If no one is available, you will be placed in a "waiting room" and notified by text message once a doctor is available. If you need to have an appointment at a later time you can select a time that is convenient for you and the doctor will call you then as well.

 Can a doctor on TelaCare order a prescription refill?

Doctors on TelaCare will discuss your health history and assess whether a refill is safe at this time or whether it would be necessary to see your primary care physician in person. The decision to provide a refill and the quantity is at the sole discretion of the doctor. Be sure to share any information you have about your health history and condition that may help facilitate your refill, such as recent lab tests or blood pressure readings.

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