Application of topical timolol 0.5% solution for management of rosacea-related flushing and erythema: A case report

Abstract

Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition that affects the face, characterized by flushing, redness, pimples, pustules and dilated blood vessels. Some treatment options for rosacea can improve symptoms and sometimes control the disease from getting worse. A female Saudi patient aged 41 years presented with flushing for the past two months. She has been diagnosed as a case of erythrematotelangiectatic rosacea, for which she received metronidazole topical gel twice daily, but she developed skin irritation after two weeks’ application. Topical timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution 0.5% (one drop on each side of the face over the cheeks, twice per day for 8 weeks) was tried with her. Eight weeks later, the patient showed marked improvement. She denied complaining of skin irritation, flushing attacks, redness or any medication-related side effects. No systemic symptoms due to topical application were documented. She also expressed her satisfaction with treatment. Topical timolol (0.5%) solution can provide subjective improvement in cases of erythrematotelangiectatic rosacea associated with flushing and erythema, with no documented systemic or local side effects. However, further studies are still needed to settle its efficacy among patients with different phases of rosacea.