Possibly rosacea - gp, dermatologist or?

[KimDeals]

Hello - can anyone advise?

I was at a beauty therapist and asked about my skin (was entered for eyelashes).

She said it looks to her like like rosacea and to go to a dermatologist (I know her well but not seen her for skin). Except the consultant dermatologists are very expensive and I’m not sure if that’s the right person (is it a bit overkill?)

Or can my regular GP help?

I’m 46 and I have what looks like red patches on cheeks and down to my mouth on both sides, but when you look closely they are small spots. Some have teeny bits of puss (I’m so sorry) in them (I’m using a magnifying mirror to see all this).

Just not sure what to do?

When I google for local clinics I get a lot of skin specialists who all seem to specialise in cosmetic stuff and I didn’t honk that’s what I want.

Any advice? I’ve never had great skin, can be prone to benign flakey with the wrong products, feel tight, (but it’s fine - it’s not “terrible”) - but I’ve noticed lately my face is just the wrong colour in general especially now I’m on virtual calls all day long! I am always the very pink face in the box!

Thanks in advance. I don’t want to annoy the gp either.

You need to go to your gp who can then refer you to dermatology

Typo! Entered = there for
Honk = think
Sorry!

@Lazypuppy

You need to go to your gp who can then refer you to dermatology

Ok thanks - will do. I just didn’t want to be annoying them if they think it’s too trivial. I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.

Hiya, it does sound like it could be acne rosacea. Call your GP and ask them to prescribe you Solantra. It may take about 3-4 months but it will clear it up. I tried everything for 2 years before I found out about solantra, my GP had never heard of it but prescribed it for me and it did the trick. God luck!

I wouldn't bother asking to be referred to a dermatologist, i did with mine and the appointment was over a year away!

@bowtieandheels

Hiya, it does sound like it could be acne rosacea. Call your GP and ask them to prescribe you Solantra. It may take about 3-4 months but it will clear it up. I tried everything for 2 years before I found out about solantra, my GP had never heard of it but prescribed it for me and it did the trick. God luck!

Gosh thanks - I’m actually relieved to know what to do - I’ll get an appointment booked. Thanks again!

You don't really need a dermatologist if it's rosacea - it's fairly common in women between 30-50. The GP can prescribe antibiotics/metronizadole gel or Soolantra, which is ivermectin cream. Soolantra knocked my rosacea on the head pretty quickly - you can buy it online but obvs it's cheaper via a prescription.

@bowtieandheels

I wouldn't bother asking to be referred to a dermatologist, i did with mine and the appointment was over a year away!

A year! Yea that’s what I am preparing for…

If the GP can prescribe something I’d be happy to try that! My skin is just looking quite angry… and when I cardio exercise it’s like I’ve port wine stains on my face. It’s quite extreme afterwards.

@MayContainNits

You don't really need a dermatologist if it's rosacea - it's fairly common in women between 30-50. The GP can prescribe antibiotics/metronizadole gel or Soolantra, which is ivermectin cream. Soolantra knocked my rosacea on the head pretty quickly - you can buy it online but obvs it's cheaper via a prescription.

Great - thanks for the advice! Happy to let the gp ty and treat and even better if I’ve some suggestions. He is quick but he listens.

Appointment (virtual) booked now for Wednesday

Thanks all!

What are you using on your face?

I go to the dermatologist because tbey can prescribe a higher strength antibiotic when i need it as GP refuses to. As pp said, apppintments are normally a way a qay so good to have 1 booked in then you can chat through optiona.

My experience of GPs for rosacea has been awful as they don't know enough about it, or don't see it as a real problem, 'just red cheeks'

Soolantra got rid of mine after one application! And I'd had it for years. I bought it online at one of those pharmacies with gp services , uploaded a picture & got the cream posted to me a few days later.