Anyone have rosacea?

[klfrech]

I'm 48 years old, and believe I am developing rosacea, along with small acne flare-ups in the same area. Of course, I can't get into see a dermatologist for 3 months!

Any tips as to what I can do in the meantime? I've been using some of my daughter's acne medication to combat the flare-ups, but that can't be helpful for the redness.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A foundation that covers everything up would be helpful too!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Diet is a big one. Here are the possible trigger foods. I know alcohol and hot showers are a big one for me.

Trigger foods Rosacea

Anything that causes an increase of circulation to the face and neck can cause the condition to worsen. The following activities and foods cause rosacea:



Hot foods or beverages, spicy foods, caffeine withdrawal (caffeine itself isn't a factor), alcohol, sunlight, stress, anger or embarrassment, strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas, corticosteroids (as well as drugs that dilate blood vessels), temperature extremes, cold weather, wind, and certain skin care products. Other products to avoid include foods that are blood vessel dilators such as vinegars, hot spices and various other spicy seasonings, hot sauces, peppers (including black pepper) and meat marinades. Tomatoes, citrus fruits and related juices, bananas, and red plums, raisins, figs, pasta, cheese, and chocolates are some of the worst offenders to many. Other very common known flushing foods are liver, yogurt, sour cream, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas. These are the common trigger foods rosacea.



Many people also have reported outbreaks after eating chocolate, lobster, prawns, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food colorings and MSG. Aspartame and NutraSweet as a sugar replacement causes noticeable flushing in 30% of rosaceans.



These activities and foods cause rosacea. Once you determine which of these triggers an outbreak, you can avoid it.

Besides avoiding the trigger foods, it is important to know the foods to eat for rosacea. The right diet can help the condition.

http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com/foods-to-eat-for-rosacea.html

 

[MizTink]

my dad gets it on his face, neck, and i little on his head. he's bald on top with really short hair just around the edges. it gets worse when he needs a haircut. and hot showers do it too.

 

[Binnie]

Stress is my primary trigger, so talk therapy has been very helpful.

There's a cream/ointment on the market that supposedly helps. You might try it. I want to say it's call prosacea, or something like it.

Also, you might try just going to your PCM. That's who diagnosed me, and they put me on the prescription with good initial results.

 

[SamRoc]

Yes my dr. told me that hot showers trigger it. She also wants me to have laser called "fraxel" around my nose and on my cheeks. Its kind of expensive but i might go for it in the spring.

 

[curious3069]

Don't use the acne stuff, for me that just makes it worse!!! I developed it at 40 which is just so unfair...and it was so hard for me not to go full out with the acne products.

I found that a really mild cleanser works best to not aggrivate it-Cetaphil works well and so does Philosophy Purity. Don't use scrubs or anything harsh. Abrupt temperature changes really make mine flare up, not sure if that's something you can avoid.

None of this will make it go away entirely, but it at least shouldn't make it worse until you can get into a dermatologist. You might also try your regular Dr. Mine was able to prescribe me a gel (can't remember the name right now, of course) that works really well for me, so I was able to skip the dermatologist all together.

 

[Feralpeg]

My dermatologist suggested that I use Purpose. It has worked very well.

 

[curious3069]

And the only foundation I've found that doesn't make it worse is Bare Escentuals. Any kind of liquid/mousse just really makes me break out badly. The Bare Escentuals actually covers the redness. I don't use it everyday, however, because eventually, it will make me break out too.

 

[savannahcat]

I have it too. I've never been able to find anything to make it go away completely. It is worst in the winter. I second the Bare Minerals make up. Especially the Bisque concealer. I do use it everyday, because it is the only thing that covers the redness.

 

[Jockaroo]

I have a mild case. My primary care physician was able to prescribe a topical that works well. He said if it didn't, or if the condition got worse, he would refer to a dermatologist.

I know my triggers. It can take time finding what affect you. I cannot use any harsh products on my face. I encourage you to skip using the acne products you may be using now. These can aggravate the condition and make it worse. The "acne-like" bumps from rosacea are very different from regular acne. I have to use a very gentle face wash. I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleaner. It is a liquid. I also use Cetaphil cream for my moisturizer. Avoid exfoliating products--these are too harsh. I use the Bare Escentuals makeup line. It has good coverage and doesn't seem to irritate my skin. That said, I can typically skip the blush even on a good day. I also like the Rare Minerals Night Treatment. It is a little expensive, but I only use it a couple of times a week. I find it soothing and for me, it diminishes redness a little. It also has some mild exfoliating properties without being harsh. It is important to get a diagnosis and started on a treatment. You can't make Rosacea go away, but you can halt the progression and make the symptoms lessen. Good luck.

You may find this site helpful:
http://www.rosacea.org/index.php

Oh, and I suspect this is hereditary. My dad was always very red faced. It always bothered me when my friends would ask why my dad was mad/angry since his face was always flushed.

 

[DMickey28]

My mom has this. She actually doesn't use anything to wash her face, just water. I suppose Cetaphil would be better!! She uses Bare Escentuals as well and that's the best for her. She also likes the Yellow bottle of mosturizer at Clinque the best for mosturizer. Everything else breaks her out too badly.

She takes minocyclen (spelled wrong I am sure) for it and when she goes off it you can tell.

 

[KandD]

I have it. My dermatologist gave me two different creams to help with the acne on the cheeks but to be honest the acne really isn't that bad for me....its more the actual redness. Just over the past week I have noticed that I think I am getting two permanent red marks on each cheek.
Sometimes when it is extra blotchy I look like someone punched me. I also get it on my chest.
I am actually seeing a new dermatologist this Wednesday so I am interested to see what he says about it. I know that wine definitely triggers me but sometimes I get it for no reason at all (or so it seems).
It doesn't help that I am a blusher in general, eck...I realllly hope that this new dr. can help me!!

 

[luvwinnie]

Wow, is there another derm you can try? I only had to wait 2 weeks. I use a script called Metrogel. WOrks great. Cold and heat/sun are both triggers for me. I use Cetaphil soap and a Cetaphil moistuirzer with a sunblock. Hope you can get in sooner.

 

[disneymarie]

I'm 48 years old, and believe I am developing rosacea, along with small acne flare-ups in the same area. Of course, I can't get into see a dermatologist for 3 months!

Any tips as to what I can do in the meantime? I've been using some of my daughter's acne medication to combat the flare-ups, but that can't be helpful for the redness.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A foundation that covers everything up would be helpful too!

I ran across a cure for mine, completly by accident. First to help the immediate affect, a moisturiser, the acne I use the generic stridex.

I did use a Lancome product they do not make now for $47. found that Garnie has a kick butt one that helps. Also, to cover it up do not use a liquid, use a mineral, I use Loreal.

But the biggest thing that absolutly cured it, Lexapro. When i had anxiety and the loss of my dd I started this and in one week it was cleared up 75%. B y two weeks it was gone. I tried to go off it a year later, the rocecea came right back. Three weeks ago I ran out and my perscription plan is a $75 copay. With the holiday I did not want to pay out, immediatly around my cheeks it flared.

Last week the PCP had samples and in three days it was clearing up. today I only have one spot a bbit pink and one healing dry spot breakout.

It is not black head or filled pimples like teens, this is a dryer peeling. The cooling off of the skin to moisturise this time of year, and use a dove tube cleanser.
To get the makeup off and clean I use the generic stridex I got at Walgreens or CVS.

I know that Lexapro may not be something you would want to try, but if there is stress and mind clogging issue in your life, I lost the child, the job, the husband out of work, it flares it up.

When I started the Lexapro I had 10mg a day, I did have insomnia and loss of appatite, could have been the depression though. I dropped to build it up. a 10 mg broke in half, for a week then the 10 mg a week.
I am on the full 20 mg.

I have tried paxil, prozac, effexor in the past and did not have the beneifit of the clearing of rosacea. I did have side effects of vivd dreams, horrific ones. Also coming off the Effexor took me 6 months to get rid of the after affects of light headedness, I had to really go down slow.

But today, Try the dove facial wash., a jar of the Garnia, the green color that Jessica Parker advertises the eye roll on.
Think about the stressors in life and if the doctor would monitor the Lexapro.
I experimented 3 occasions to see if this was the defining factor in clearing my skin. I watched all other variables and the one consistant was the Lexapro that cured, not help.

2 1/2 Two weeks after I started the Lexapro

Last summer Still clear, AMAZING! I did not have any makeup on and hair pulled in a clip. Except that I aged so much, I will be 55 this week.

 

[DisnyMama]

I have to totally agree with the others about Bare Minerals/Ecsentials Bisque as a cover-up, foundation and mineral veil. I am 46 and my rosacia just became prominant within the last 2 years I feel due to stress however it does run in my family but I feel lucky that I did not get it years ago like my DSIS did. Since my makeup covers so well the rosacea doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Christine]

I have had a very mild case for about 8 years now. When I say mild, I mean that I mainly get the flushing but I don't really get the bumps. If I have a REALLY bad flushing episode, I will often get some bumps the next day but I don't treat them.

My skin is very sensitive. The Cetaphil is too drying for me so all I can tolerate is Dove for Sensitive Skin. Most moisturizers also cause me to flush (sensitive skin) so I can only use vaseline on my face and then I wipe off the excess. Bare Minerals and/or Everyday Minerals has been a life saver for me and it totally counteracts the redness so I don't look like a Stop Sign going to work.

Certain things will trigger a flush--

Mainly eating spaghetti sauce
Red Wine
Going from being very cold outside to a heated building

If I have a very bad flush, it will go down to the "V" area of my chest (the area that would be exposed if you had on a button down blouse with it open). I think some degree of my rosacea is caused by sun damage.

 

[1stluvispooh]

My DH had the worst rosacea for years! The dermatologist gave him anti biotic and a cream but it barely made a difference. Then I stumbled on to this http://www.skinstore.com/atopalm.aspx It made the biggest difference! He is now rosacea free!!! He only used the face wash and the cream.

 

[MickeySP]

I have had it for about 4 years. I tried every cream, ointment or OTC their is. I was put on low dose Doxicyclin and POOF - done. The only time I get outbreaks now is if I forget to take it for a couple days.

 

[lsyorke]

Ah, rosacea! I've had it for years(darn that northern european ancestry). I've used everything.....metrogel, metrocream, tetracycline, cetaphil, purpose etc.... been to 4 dermatologists with the same stuff ordered over and over again.
I finally had it and decided to try prosacea. Over the counter sulfa based gel. I had NO faith that it would do anything, but surprise, surprise..it actually works! For the first time in 20 years my skin actually looks decent. The best part is that I can now use moisturizer without breaking out. So for 7 bucks I found something that works(no I'm don't sell this stuff, LOL)

The only makeup I can use is Clinique.

 

[MrsPete]

I've had trouble with both Rosacea and Exema for about two years now.

I had flaky patches between my eyebrows and down the sides of my nose. Worst of all, I had nasty red "marionette lines" under my mouth. Around my mouth and nose I had redness; that left a white line between my mouth and nose. It was VERY noticeable. Throw in huge, always-present acne along the jawline, and you don't have an attractive package. I often saw other people looking. I was self-conscious about it, and the super-dry, cracked skin was painful.

No make-up would cover it. I tried all sorts of over-the-counter stuff, and especially I thought I needed something rough (like scrubber grit in a cleaner). I tried high-quality moisturizers, but an hour after I'd applied them the flakiness was back. Nothing worked.

I went to the dermatologist, and he treated the Exema first. The Eldol medicine worked like a charm, and within a month the dry, flaky patches were history. Every now and then a touch of it returns, and I use the Eldol for a day or two.

With the Exema in check, he turned his attention to the Rosacea. He gave me Finacea cream for night time and MetroGel for the morning. Immediately the redness diminished greatly. When I get up in the morning, there's NO redness . . . and as the day goes on, especially if it's a stressful day, I do see a little redness in the same old pattern . . . but it's easily hidden by make-up. Unlike other posters, I have not identified triggers that set off the redness -- except for stress and excessive physical activity.

All these medicines cost a fortune ($50-60 per tube AFTER my insurance kicks in), but they're worth it. Now that I am in the "'maintenance phase", I don't use large amounts. I also find that the medicines are MUCH MORE effective if I allow them 10-15 minutes to "sink in" before I apply moisturizer.

The dermatologist also started me using Vanicream products. LOVE THEM! I don't sunburn easily, and skin products don't sting me or give me a rash, so I DIDN'T KNOW I have sensitive skin. My derm tells me that everyone's skin becomes more sensitive with age. Anyway, I digress . . . these Vanicream products are for sensitive skin. They're over-the-counter, but they keep them behind the counter -- you have to ask for them. I am ONLY able to find them at Target. The soap is $2.75/bar, a good-sized bottle of moisturizer is $9. I forget the price for sunscreen. More expensive than most stuff, and never a coupon . . . but not so much more expensive that it's a problem. I think these products are doing me as much good as the prescription medicines.

In closing, I can't get rid of the Rosacea, but I can live with it at this level.