Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Just been diagnosised with Rosacea

47 replies

seashore · 14/09/2010 17:55

Hi, I've recently been told by the doctor that my red face is rosacea, I'm a bit miserable about it especially as I have had a bad reaction to the recommended antibootic I was put on and so couldn't continue with it - I'm now worried that it will kick back worse as that is what it said on the leafet if you fail to complete the course Sad

I've devised a special diet which is meant to help and I have bought a moisturiser for it also, but if anyone has any advice or tips about make up products to help me I would be very grateful Smile

I really wish I had lovely skin apparently this has it's roots in childhood stress and I can't turn the clock back there.

Please help!

OP posts:
Travellerintime · 14/09/2010 18:01

Hello Seashore,
I was diagnosed with rosacea last year, having suspected it for a while. The best product in terms of cover up I can recommend is some kind of mineral foundation - I use ID Bare Essentials. Mineral foundation is thought to be better because it's got less irritants in it and it's purer.

I also use a tea tree based moisturiser, which I also find my very sensitive skin tolerates well.

Haven't heard the childhood stress theory - I thought it was more hereditary - my dad has definitely got it too.

Good luck with finding something that works for you.

BelieveInLife · 14/09/2010 19:59

Hi Seashore
Sorry to hear you're feeling down about this, as a fellow sufferer I can sympathise.
La Roche Posay is an excellent range for rosacea skin. Dermalogica pretty good too depending on how severe.
I would second what Travellerintime has said about mineral make-up. It's a must in my opinion.
What antibiotic has your doctor put you on? Is it a topical one?
Laser treatment is very effective for rosacea and I can recommend a skin clinic, not just for laser but for a consult. They really sorted my skin out for me and gave me sound advice.

Travellerintime · 14/09/2010 20:23

BelieveinLIfe,
What's the skin clinic you recommend? My rosacea (and skin) is going through a good spell, but I'd like to keep something up my sleeve in case it flares up again. Also have you tried laser treatment? I've got broken veins on my nose which I cover up, but at some point I'm thinking I might try laser.

Original poster
seashore · 14/09/2010 21:49

Thank you both BelieveInLife and Travellerintime, must say both your names are great Smile

Anyway the antibiotic was Tetralysal, a tablet and a month and a half (meant to use it for 3 mths)in my eyebrows (I have nice thick eyebrows and would like to keep it that way!) started to fall out. I don't know if it is just an out of wack shedding but it was not pleasant and although my doctor didn't know if it is connected he told me to stop taking that tablets. So now I'm worried about it getting worse then ever.

I'm using La Roche moisturiser and am going shopping for new make up on Thursday so the tip about mineral products is very usful, thanks.

I think I'd be too chicken for laser ... yet!but what clinic would you recommend BelieveInLife? Just in case.

Do either of you follow a careful diet? I'm on a very strict one now with tons of water although no fluids with meals etc.

Thank you for your replies, it's nice to know I'm not the only one Smile

OP posts:
LinaLamont · 14/09/2010 21:55

ID Bare Esscentuals is fab. My Mother has Rosacea and is a tv reporter. She swears by it.

SharonGless · 14/09/2010 21:58

Hi I too suffer with rosacea and found the Dermalogica range has been my saviour. I think it is trial and error to find something that works for you.

I use Elizabeth Arden foundation which seems to be Ok on me but I will try mineral foundation next time.

I have cut out red wine and spicy food which aggravates it. Cold weather is another trigger which I am obviously looking forward to to this winter!!

Don't worry you are not alone

CantStopEatingCheese · 14/09/2010 22:03

Sorry to hear you are feeling down about it. DH has it and when it flared up a few years ago the GP prescribed Metronidazole (it comes under different brand names). It's in gel or cream form. It helped a lot with the redness and itchiness. So maybe you can ask your GP whether that would be appropriate for you? DH doesn't use the cream any more but finds that as long as he washes his face daily with a facial scrub it's kept at bay. If we ever go away and he forget to pack it, it flares up and feels itchy and burning. Don't know if that's worth trying or whether it might make things worse for you but seems to work for him (though a bit counter-intuitive!)

AnyFucker · 14/09/2010 22:14

Hi, I suffer from rosacea too

However, my GP prescribed Zineryt which is a topical solution applied to the skin a couple of times daily by means of a neat little roll-on thingy

You can use it under make-up as it is colourless

It has a slightly pungent smell, but that soon fades

It has really helped me (although I tend to be better in the summer)

No-one can tell I have rosacea now (and I don't use cover-up make-up, it made me worse)

Original poster
seashore · 14/09/2010 22:25

AnyFucker, I was thinking of asking for Zineryt to try and keep the possible backlash from going off the antibiotic too soon. I'd used it years ago briefly, thanks though cause it's good to know it's worked for someone else.

LinaLamont, that's great to know that Id Bare Essentials works under tv lights, I'm probably going to spend a fortune on make up though trying to find the right products for me!!

Thanks SharonGless and CanstopeatingCheese, you're all being so kind, I am a bit low about this, it's come at the end of a long tough year and my gp says it's been brought on by stress Sad

But you are all right, I'm not alone Smile

OP posts:
SharonGless · 14/09/2010 22:41

Are you doing anything to tackle the stress? Don't want to pry but mine is always worse when I am stressed and am trying to use coping strategies to chill out a bit. You need to get to the root causes as well as treating the worst of it.

I have never heard of it being linked to childhood stresses before

Good luck and come on mumsnet if you need a bit of cheering up.

MuddlingThru · 14/09/2010 22:50

I would go back to your GP to see about an alternative prescription. I used to use Metrogel (metronidazole) and it was very effective for a long while but did eventually cease to be effective. I then used Erythrocin for a while which kept it under control but didn't eliminate it. More recently I was given a course of Oxytetracycline which was fantastic, completely cleared up my skin and my skin has remained clear since taking it. It can be a matter of finding what suits you.

collision · 14/09/2010 22:53

ATTENTION

Mumsnet did a product test for this which was just to taste the fishiness of the product.

I duly did the test and found that my skin which is red and has been diagnosed with roseacea calmed right down and the redness practically disappeared! Grin

I ran out of stuff and it flared up again but am back on it in capsule form and hair skin and nails are lush again!

DO TRY IT!

BelieveInLife · 15/09/2010 11:43

The clinic I'd recommend is Medicetics in Connaught Street, near Hyde Park in London. The Doctors there are fab, the lady one in particular. I didn't have laser in the end, the advice they gave me has sorted it out.

I don't find diet affects mine too much, it's more the weather that does.

I probably get a flare up once or twice a year now and I use the metro gel another poster here has spoken of.

I believe that the key with rosacea skin is not to 'mess about' with it and use too many products. Just keep things simple.

Hope all the advice helps. x

bbtfm · 15/09/2010 11:50

Ive just put a message on and read your blog about rosacea as I have said I have joined Neals Yard and they have a brilliant organic natural range I think anything is worth a try Lavender is good for soothing and calming hey have a wild rose balm and its wonderful heres my details you can have a look.
uk.nyorganic.com/shop/pure.
email me honestly it helps with all sorts I love it and its organic.

ppeatfruit · 15/09/2010 12:37

Seashore if you don't want to go down the ABs route, google earth clinic which is a fab site with all sorts of ideas and remedies from people who've tried them.

anonymousbird · 15/09/2010 12:49

Collision where do you buy your nutrasea? I used to use years ago, had forgotten all about it in the haze of children and could do with trying it again...

Many thanks. Smile

OP - you have my every sympathy. It can get you down, but sounds like you are taking the right steps, determined to find what works for you, so good on you.

Original poster
seashore · 15/09/2010 14:01

Thanks everybody so much, you are all fantastic support, I'm off to my doctors appointment now but will pop back here later to post Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
seashore · 15/09/2010 18:30

So back from the doctors and he gave me zineryt to tide me over, he wants me back on the antibiotic in about 2 weeks time. He is convinced my eyebrows are just a growth pattern change but I know I will be a bit anxious going back on it and if I don't I'll be anxious and red faced Sad

Anyway,yes, SharonGless you are so right stress is exactly what set this off, I always had it but it was under control, at Christmas I had a bad situation with my parents and I am still battling my way back from the stress they caused when ds was only 20 weeks old.

I'm looking into learning transcendental meditation to help tackle my stress. (I did hypnobirthing for my 2nd birth and it worked perfectly, so I have high hopes for this Smile I live in a very rural place but have found a teacher but have to wait till he's back from travels for a few weeks.

About childhood stress, I came across it on the Rosacea Society that it has it's roots in childhood, in my case both my parents had bad health issues which spilled over into the family as it will when someone is suffering in pain.

It was so exciting to see the antibiotic clearing it only to be backtracking with it now Sad

I'm off to check links etc you have all so kindly posted now. Thank you Smile

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 15/09/2010 18:34

good luck x

BelieveInLife · 15/09/2010 19:11

seashore I had never heard the childhood stress theory either but now you have highlighted it, a few links have just come together for me which is interesting...

Anyway, good luck with it all and post back if you need to chat at any point.

x

AnyFucker · 15/09/2010 19:16

yes, the childhood stress thing resonates with me too Sad

SharonGless · 15/09/2010 22:42

And me for childhood stress Sad

Would be interesting if a proper study was conducted on it.

Glad to hear you are feeling more positive today.

collision · 15/09/2010 22:48

Holland & Barratt!

Try it tho as it really works

anonymousbird · 16/09/2010 08:33

Collision we have an H&B in town - I always forget it is there! I will be there this afternoon, this very day. Thanks Smile

My Rosacea is not severe, but it is mighty annoying, and has flare ups a couple of times a month. I am pretty convinced my cycle and my Mirena coil contribute to mine. The coil will be at its natural end at the end of this year, and I won't get another one.

Also had quite a boozy holiday a couple of weeks back, so think skin has come out in protest at that. Major detox since we got back!! Can only brave one glass of wine, with some trepidation, and often nothing. Which is NOT a bad thing and can only help my skin. I also suffer from Psoriasis which has similar triggers - stress, booze, hormones, so it's all kind of wrapped up into one.

SpongebobControlpants · 16/09/2010 08:52

I'm another sufferer....

Seashore - what diet have you devised? I tried abstaining from hot drinks after reading about rosacea online, but I felt quite miserable without my cuppa! Didn't give it long enough to see if it was having an effect.

I've been on antibiotic tablets since xmas, as the rosacea was affecting my eyes and i'd been referred to an eye specialist. That was how I found out for sure what my skin problem was (have had it for years, although not severely). The tablets have helped with the skin as well as the eyes, but I don't like the idea of being on them this long.

It's not pleasant at all, so it's good to read about how others cope.