Migraine drug could be offered to facial flush sufferers after success in trial

A migraine drug could be offered to sufferers of facial flushing after a study found it significantly reduced symptoms.

Around one in 20 people in the UK have the skin condition rosacea, which causes a hot and red face as well as spots.

Rosacea cannot be cured but antibiotics and prescription creams can improve symptoms.

In the US study, 30 adults with severe rosacea were given the migraine drug erenumab.

Rosacea, a condition that causes hot and red face (left before treatment and right after laser surgery) (File)

Rosacea, a condition that causes hot and red face (left before treatment and right after laser surgery) (File) 

File photo. The migraine drug erenumab could be used to help alleviate symptoms of rosacea

File photo. The migraine drug erenumab could be used to help alleviate symptoms of rosacea

The jab blocks the effect of a protein which is linked to the debilitating headaches and nausea of migraine.

Published last week, the research found rosacea patients taking erenumab saw a significant reduction in their symptoms.

Those most affected by the condition saw an 80 per cent decline in severe to extreme flushing within days of beginning the treatment.

Study author Dr John Barbieri, a consultant dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said the results showed ‘promising potential’ for rosacea patients.