Is this Rosacea?

[Malin52]

Over the past few years my usually fair and even toned skin has become redder and redder. Recently I've had a couple of episodes where I've been bright red and my skin has felt like it's burning. A bit like your face feels when you come into a warm room from the cold.

I've suspected Rosacea but I don't seem to have the usual symptoms. No broken capillaries (except round nose which have been there for years) no pustules (the pic shows a couple of spots but that's as I've got period at the moment).

I'm 45 so I've also just suspected it's another lovely peri menopause thing but from this pic does it look like rosacea?

My skin started like yours, just redder and feeling warm. Over time I got the broken veins and my nose became bumpy. Recently I developed pustules which were so sore. I hated myself. Nothing otc worked. I didn't want to bother my gp during the pandemic so I used an online pharmacy where a doctor reviewed my symptoms and looked at a photo. I was prescribed soolantra. It's been life changing. Over a month on and my skin has never looked so clear.

Piglet208 that sounds good. Did it cost much and which website did you use?

I use Soolantra as well and it's been life changing. Skin still reddish but smooth and clear for the first time in years.

@Yoyomar The online consultation is free but you have to pay full price for the product. It cost me £36 so it's not cheap but it will last for ages as you only use a small amount each day. I used Pharmacy2U.

Re the tomatoes and onions, I think these are known rosacea triggers quite aside from whether you are allergic to them or not. My doctor said that they are high in histamine and trigger a flushing response. There are other fruits and vegetables that do the same and should also be avoided - pineapple for example.

Also Malin, re your 22/2 eating pattern, this may actually be the cause of your flare. My derm said not to overdo it on fasting because it can put your body into a state of stress and set your rosacea off.

I so dislike this condition. There are days when I feel keeping it in check is like walking a tightrope.

Soolantra soolantra soolantra. don't bother with anything else. It cured mine aftuer 3 weejs usage and I had rosacea for 25 or so years. Seriously life changing. Google demodex mites. they can thrive during perimenooause as skin can get more oily in the follicles due to an overexpession of aldosterone. Demodex thrive and cause infkammatiin and capillary wall damage.

Another vote for Soolantra, my skin was incredibly hot and red and the burning sensation was unbearable until I tried this. Now gentle skin care, no wine and fastidious use of sunscreen keeps it at bay easily. I buy it from Superdrug, they have an “online doctor” - just fill in the form and add some photos, no GP necessary.

Soolantra

But also sun protection, every day even in winter. Really important.

Also avoid: saunas and other very hot places, also steaming your face.

Gentle skin care products: la Roche posay tolerance or Avene sensitive range are reasonably priced

Your GP may be doing video appointments so don't rule out going to see them. I really regret that I did as I let it go on long enough that I have some permanent marks from pustules that could have been avoided.

Yes your skin is just like mine. It’s always flushed easily. A few broken veins in my 50s. Mine is pretty mild. In fact my GP raised it when I was seeing him about something else.

I try to stay out of the sun, and use a gentle Superdrug toner plus CeraVe face cream. Nothing prescribed has helped I’m afraid.

Just like all the previous posters, Soolantra. I could see the effect within 24 hours and it was healed after 2 weeks. Incredible.

I spent ££££ on all kind of skincare, bases, concealers and foundations but this is the thing that solves the cause of the problem. I also got rid of all my fancy, expensive skincare (including the glycolic acid serum that caused the problem) and now only use Cetaphil and a moisturiser.

You don't have to go to a GP in person. I hate going and can never get an appointment anyway. I used an online GP service and sent several pictures of my skin. I used Zavamed but there are several online GP services - I think Superdrug have just launched one.

Hormones seem to make mine flare up along with caffeine.

Right, I'm convinced- going to get Soolantra!

@FreakStar Let us know how you get on.

Another vote for Soolantra, no point trying anything else.

I've just started on soolantra - great for me so far. Got it online - I have gathered that it varies between CCGs whether you need an initial prescription from a dermatologist or whether the GP can prescribe from the get go.

(Obviously there are a million things that help or hinder, but cider vinegar tablets have helped me, and being fastidious about only touching my face with clean hands.)

For those using soolantra- did it help with redness or was it more helpful for spots? I don't really have any pustules, my problem is really more general redness on my nose and cheeks and visible red capillaries. The azalaic acid cream from Paulas choice arrived- I've applied it at night over serum and so far so good- no adverse reaction- it has only been two nights so far though. Decided to see if it helps in the long-term before trying soolantra.

@FreakStar my main issues are redness and visible blood vessels. Pre-Soolantra I had a bumpy forehead but only noticeable against the light. Soolantra (four weeks in) has calmed the flushing down a lot - my skin is less reactive to sunlight/certain foods and drinks/stress etc, and it goes a lot more quickly. I still have residual redness in certain places and broken veins - I’m hoping that will lessen a bit over time, and the calmer my skin is the less visible they are usually, but it’s mostly the flushing that’s lessened a lot.

If you’re asking for Soolantra from the GP, do be aware that it’s licensed for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea, not the other kind, so if you have any papules you might want to emphasise that...!

(Ie even if it’s very very few papules indeed - I know you said you don’t really get them!)

Could be a malar rash, OP.

thanks @shoopshoopshoop that's really helpful. I'd probably say I don't get papules at all- the skin on my forehead, chin and lower part of cheeks is normal and smooth and even coloured. My nose is quite red and across the cheeks in butterfly pattern - no spots though, just slightly bumpy like blocked pores but not inflamed. In fact, if I use good skincare including salicylic acid toner my skin is completely smooth.

I've done four nights now with the azelaic acid cream and actually have a noticeable improvement in redness today!

I have rosacea, every couple of years I’ve done a 3/4 month course of low-dose antibiotics which does make it subside.

There’s no cure, just management. Agree Finacea and Soolantra can help.

One thing to add which I think no one else has mentioned- supplements make mine flare up. I started getting rosacea when pregnant with DC3 and taking pg supplements every day. I didn’t make any connection at that point but since then I’ve noticed that anything with Vit B6 or B12 makes me flare up like crazy, very angry red, itchy and burning plus pustules (never normally get pustules). It takes a few weeks to calm down even after just one or two times taking a supplement containing Vit B. I’ve tried a few tunes thinking maybe coincidence but no.

*a few times

Malin52 just to update you on my progress. I rang my GP and sent him some photos. He has prescribed me Mirvaso which is a gel for rosacea which constricts the blood vessels. I've not tried it yet but thought I'd let you know that the GP didn't mind me ringing just about my skin, and hopefully the gel will help even if it's not the Soolantra that everyone on here loves!