Anyone else with rosacea?

[HairyToedHobbit]

I was prescribed Metronidazole Gel yesterday. I actually went to see my GP about the ADs I've just gone back on so was quite surprised when he asked whether I usually had the rash across my face. I have a few spots which I find embarrassing as a 40-something, but didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as I sometimes get. GP guessed (correctly) that this could be adding to my anxiety levels, part of the reason I'm back on ADs. I am very impressed with GP as it was the first time I'd seen him since moving to the area. I think I've had the flare-ups on my face for a number of years but assumed it was just the hormonal acne I've had on and off since my teens. Not sure when the redness started.

GP told me the main triggers were sunlight, alcohol and spicy food. The first two aren't really a problem to avoid but I love spicy food! Also have looked this up on NHS Direct and caffeine is another possible trigger and I drink far too much coffee.

So what I'm wondering is, is it better to cut out all of these possible triggers or is it possible to find out which are the ones to blame for me?

bumpity bump

have printed out all the notes from this thread and am going to take them to the dermatologist with me on Tuesday.

Laser surgery is another option but not on the NHS here

This is intersesting. I am suffering with a weird rash on my face atm. Looking back it has come and gone from time to time before but not as bad as this. Could someone describe it to me please?

search.skinstore.co.uk/search.aspx?jsessionid=0a0105531f43c94e844a379b48269c77e0c1a9affafb.e3eSc3uRa x8Te34Pa38Ta38Mchj0&query=B.Kamins%20Booster%20Blue

have heard good results about this

Orm

Roseacea is a red inflammation on the cheeks. Not usually painful but can have pustules or just redness.

Can be hard to get rid of!

It can vary in severtity for me.
A mild flare can mean patches of bright red across my cheekbones, and nose and chin, looking like I am permanently embarrassed.
A severe flare means that I develop pustules in these areas, on top of the red rash. It's called papopustular rosacea, and I can be left with tiny red thread veins across these patches.
I have been tested for Lupus as a result of the rash too, as it shows in the classic "butterfly" markings of a Lupus rash, and we have that in the family.
I have looked into laser surgery, at the time IPL was the best,(this was years ago) although I could not afford it, and it only dealt with the veins already showing, and would not prevent further attacks.

Thankyou.

Mine is not on the cheeks as such. And it's little tiny bumps that are individually red rather than a whole area of redness. Ah well, just a thought.

Have just done a search and there is a book called 'Banish Rosacea' by Robert Campbell

Has anyone read it?

I've not heard of this book, but I do remember his name being on a lot of the Rosacea forums and sites I found when I was trying to find out more about the disease.

bump

I've just been diagnosed with Rosacea and I'm 59 --- wowza for me. I'm in the process of getting metrogel...and I see on line a 'natural' process from banishrosacea.com has anyone tried it. It is only $29.95 and comes with money back guarantee. would love your input

Can anyone tell me what their first symptoms were, there doesn't seem to be anything visibly wrong with the skin on my face, but I flush and feel a tremendous sensation of heat in my cheeks and ears sometimes my forehead. I am 44, but tests last year showed no sign of menopause, so unlikely to be a hot flush, and I just wondered if this could be an early symptom of rosacea?

Evenstar - I was wondering about this too, I don't get a rash or spots, but my cheeks are often very very red and sore - set off by changes in temperature, alcohol, stress - pretty much anything really. I get fed up of people commenting on it. I've always had it but its definitely getting worse ...

I had very good results from Emu oil, which is a proven anti-inflamatory (and not too expensive). Mine was quite mild, but did improve markedly

I have had really good skin up till the last couple of months. Since then spots on cheeks and very small broken veins on cheeks. I haven't changed anything in diet or lifestyle. Going through quite bad phase of sleeping but always have not that stressed. I m 43 in few weeks time. Looked up symptoms last night and perhaps shouldn't self diagnose on internet but signs point towards rosacea. Why now? And is there anything I can do to get rid and nip in bud! I feel quite depressed about it all as esteem pretty low at best of times and skin was one thing that has been ok on my face!

I have wondered about whether I have rosacea for a long time, and reading this thread through makes it seem quite likely. As I have Asian toned skin, it's not as obvious as on a Caucasian person but I have a permanently reddish nose and flushed cheeks that sometimes get mini spots on. There's also a patch of darker pigmentation on one cheek that would need heavier foundation than I wear to cover it.

I've no idea what triggers mine. I don't drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks although I have some mildly spicy food.

Is it going to get worse if it remains untreated? It has to join a queue behind other ailments!

Very interested in this thread, as Dh has rosacea and nothing medical seems to work that well. He's been on metro gel for ages and his GP doesn't seem able/willing to suggest anything different.

Actually I'm the one who worries more because it flares up so badly and is v sore. I've bought him Dr Hauschka stuff which helps, and also Avene cream - that seems to have some calming effect too.

However, he's not going to start wearing makeup! So does anyone have any skincare stuff they recommend? I've heard people say Dermalogica products are good for rosacea.

I'm interested in emu oil. where did you get it and was it specifically a facial product?
And where do I find mineral make up?

Some NP's believe that rosacea is caused by an amino acid deficiency, namely LYSINE. Many people claim they cured their rosacea by taking lysine before bed along with omega 3's, flax seed and ZINC. NOT having enough acid in the gut may also be relevant. I take 1 tbsp. of ACV in a glass of water before each meal to help with that. Some people take hydrochloric acid tablets with each meal until their bodies start to make it on its own again, usually after 3 months or so.

I was diagnosed with both pcos and rosacea in my late 20's, I'm in my late 50's now and life has been no picnic, but I always made sure NOT to allow this cruel disorder to ruin my life because I could at least control that much. Plus, the more stress hormones we make the worse all symptoms flare for both pcos and rosacea. Meditation and Yoga is wonderfully helpful for both conditions, even Chiropractic?s help.

After all my many years of trial and error what I find works best for me is "the less I fuss with my rosacea the better off I am." The gentler I treat my skin the better it behaves. I use Metrogel for my rosacea and I?m serious about avoiding all my triggers. I use a great natural mineral makeup and believe it?s even improved my rosacea.

As for the pcos, which is still present post menopause, I never gave in to any of the drug treatments for pcos, I always prefer to approach things holistically. At this age in my life I am diagnosed as ?mild? in both conditions. I eat a wholesome diet of 80% organic foods, drink lots of pure water, take quality supplements and have been losing weight. Many experts now conclude that getting to your goal weight by reducing simple unhealthy carbs will greatly improve if not totally eradicate pcos and its many life-altering symptoms. I wholeheartedly believe that diet is the way to go for controlling and dare I say even curing both conditions. Believing that you can cure it is equally as important because CURES are as much a part of what?s going on in our MINDS as in our bodies. Peace and healing to all suffering with these dreadful conditions.

I have acne rosacea, diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago. I take antibiotics to help mine, but at the moment I am spotty, red and flakey. Really quite sore. I know my triggers- alcohol, spices etc. I use BB cream to cover up.

I took antibiotics years ago too, but stopped because they were causing a yeast imbalance. I can't use any of the BB creams with my rosacea. I use a natural mineral makeup called Everyday Minerals. I couldn't even use any of the other mineral makeups out there until I found this brand. The only cleanser I can use is Purpose Bar Soap and my super sensitive skin can tolerate mild lactic acid pretty well, that gets rid of any flakiness. Now I'm starting a lysine supplement to see if that does the trick. My derm also gave me a product called Tazorac, for rosacea use off label. I've been using it very sparingly every other night for alomst 2 weeks and so far so good. It really makes the texture smooth and soft. Hoping I can continue to use it because some people cannot use it at all.