Clinical observation on the treatment of erythema telangiectasia rosacea with electro-hydrodynamic droplet injection of botulinum toxin A

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of electro-hydrodynamic droplet injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR). Methods Twenty-seven females with ETR were treated with electro-hydrodynamic droplet injection of BTX-A at the Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, the Second People's Hospital of Bijie City. The cumulative dose of unilateral face was 20-30 U, and 40-60 U per patient. Clinical erythema score, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), symptom and sign score, and adverse reactions were assessed before and 8 weeks after the treatment. Results All 27 patients completed the study. Patients showed significant improvements in the clinical erythema score (from 2.67±0.83 to 1.30±0.60, t=10.54, P<0.001), DLQI (from 14.96±5.50 to 6.52±2.79, t=9.38, P<0.001) 8 weeks after the treatment. Similarly, the facial skin burning score, dryness score, itching score, flushing score, and edema score were also significantly decreased (all P<0.01 vs. baseline). However, the score of facial capillary dilation did not change significantly (P=0.1). No significant adverse reactions, such as pain, local bruising, facial muscle paralysis, or unnatural expressions, were observed. Conclusions Electro-hydrodynamic droplet injection of BTX-A is safe and effective for improving the symptoms such as erythema, burning, dryness, itching, flushing and edema, and quality of life in ETR patients.