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It's called acne rosacea, but the name is confusing. This skin condition is nothing like your teenager's pimples.
Rosacea affects women more than men and usually strikes during middle age. It causes redness of the cheeks, nose and forehead. Fine red lines can often be seen just under the skin and some people also experience pimple-like blemishes.
Dermatologists are still debating the causes of rosacea. Research suggests that one important factor is inflammation triggered by cathelicidin, one of the skin's innate immune defenses against bacteria, fungi and some viruses (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, May, 2010).
Treatment has involved oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline) and topical antimicrobials (metronidazole). A topical gel containing azelaic acid (Finacea) can reduce the production of cathelicidin and improve symptoms.
Despite standard therapy, some readers remain unsatisfied: "I have been suffering from rosacea for years. A dermatologist prescribed both metronidazole cream and minocycline twice daily. These were ineffective.
"I am a 47-year-old male, and exercise regularly (run and bicycle), 5'8" and weigh 139 lbs. I eat a healthy diet.
"I drink alcohol occasionally, mainly red wine and beer. My cholesterol is low and I take no medications. What else could I do for my rosacea?"
Alcohol is frequently blamed as a trigger, so this reader should cut back to see if that helps. Other non-standard approaches include using antibacterial soap: "I bought a generic, clear, liquid antibacterial soap in a pump bottle and have been using it for two months. I quit using the Metrogel at the same time and have had NO flare-ups since using the antibacterial soap! This is an easy and inexpensive remedy that you may already have at your sink."
Another reader applies organic raw apple cider vinegar to the affected skin, washing it off with a gentle cleanser after 30 minutes. Helga offered her approach: "Jason Vitamin K Creme Plus works wonderfully well. It totally eliminated rosacea for me and several other people. Use it twice a day; it doubles as moisturizer."
Dianne told her own story: "I was diagnosed with rosacea over 10 years ago and was on metronidazole. I still had problems with breakouts on my face after being in the sun. Later, I was also diagnosed with ocular rosacea that felt like sand in my eyes every morning and throughout the day. I was advised to take eye drops for the condition.
"About five years ago I started taking Juice Plus vitamins. There were no claims with the product that it would help rosacea, although it certainly claimed to boost one's immune system.
My rosacea has totally disappeared. My ophthalmologist and my dermatologist can find no evidence of rosacea any more."
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have helped a few readers. Another reader specified daily cod liver oil.
Italian researchers have found that dietary supplements containing silymarin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) may ease redness (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March, 2008).
There does not seem to be a single approach to rosacea that works well for everyone. Trial and error may be the best way to find out how to calm this inflammatory skin condition.
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I eliminated sugar and most bad carbs and the problem went completely away. I am 56 and suffered for years and tried everything prior to this.
One woman commented that she uses daily a vitamin k creme. Isn't there the danger of overdosing on vitamin k, since it's also contained in all green vegetables? What are the symptoms of an overdose of k?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT ENOUGH VITAMIN K WOULD BE ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN TO CAUSE TROUBLE. EXCESS VITAMIN K IS A PROBLEM ONLY FOR THOSE TAKING WARFARIN.
I am sending this information to my sister, who has rosacea. I look forward to hearing from other readers, also, what has helped them.
I thought digestive enzymes containing Betaine HCL were supposed to work.
A dermatologist prescribed Metrogel for what he called rosacea. It's expensive stuff. Before that I was getting satisfactory results using Sea Breeze Astringent. The red lines would be on my forehead upon waking up in the morning. I'd dab on some Sea Breeze with a cotton ball, and by the afternoon, the blotches would be gone. Of course, this was a daily ritual. Lately, I've been getting better results using triple antibiotic ointment.
You're cautioned not to use it for more than 7 days in a row. I don't have to use it that often. The blotches don't come back daily. Sometimes I go back to the Sea Breeze for a spell. My father tipped me off to the Sea Breeze, and it was the only thing that worked for him. It seems there may be a hereditary factor with rosacea. I never had a problem until I hit age 65 or so.
In reference to the ocular rosacea mentioned, what type of eye drops were used?
I have been having bout & flare-up with Rosacea for about 20 years now. I used to wipe my nose & the area around it with rubbing alcohol to make sure it was clean before rubbing on the the Metronidazole cream.
I got a new Primary doctor who is also a Dermatologist and told him what I was doing and he said to stop using the Alcohol as it is to strong--- he suggested using good old WITCH HAZEL---I switch to the Witch Hazel and in about 3 months time there are very few if any signs of the Rosacea.
My wife developed rosacea on her face (mainly nose area) and after a few trips to dermatologists without good results, she eliminated special soaps and make-ups to start from the beginning and eliminate possible culprits. Then she learned from a health magazine that a lady recommended the use of selsun blue shampoo, the original type: no conditioner, no vitamins.
She washed her face and rubbed the shampoo with her finger, at night before going to bed and then in the morning. After a few days, her problem with rosacea has vanished. Then, she passed the information to our daughter who suffers from psoriasis. She has used the shampoo on her legs and the psoriasis is healing extremely well. I hope others have same good results with this tip.
A young dermatologist recommended I use a Sodium sulfacetamide 10% & Sulfur 1% wash. It was to be used twice a day. After a month the Rosacea seemed to be better, but not completely gone. I scheduled a second appointment & she recommended that I take Oracea (40mg) for my Rosacea. If I use both of them every day, I do not have the redness or breaking out on my face. This medication is in the high price field, but the doctor gave me a credit card from Oracea, & instead of over $300 (month) it is only $25-35 out of pocket. I have insurance and also am on medicare.
I have had problems with Rosacea & the Dermatologist gave me a prescription for tetracycline & Finacea which sort of worked. The tetracycline gave me an upset stomach. The Dr. also suggested I not have anything with caffeine in it & no spicy food.
I stopped eating anything with chocolate in it & stopped drinking anything with caffeine - not even decaffeinated beverages. My face sort of cleared up, but my nose was still scaly. I tried Aloe gel with menthol & my face cleared up & the skin on my nose was nice & smooth. I've started drinking coffee & eating food with chocolate in it. After a month or so, I've noticed pimples starting to show up on my nose. I use the Aloe gel w/ menthol & the blemish goes away.
I tried keeping a food journal to identify triggers and found the most astonishing thing. Eating TWIZZLERS candy helped my rosacea every time. Go figure. If I could eat it every day I'd have no problem! Have checked the ingredients and tried taking lecithin, no luck. Anyone heard of this?
I hear baking soda and hydrogen peroxide work for rosacea.
I have just been diagnosed, by a dermatologist, but he gave me no meds for
the problem. I surely appreciate your information, especially, the input from other readers. Will try some of them and let you know results.
Thanks.
I had a Dermatologist tell me to wipe my nose and surrounding areas where I have the Rosacea with plain old WITCH HAZEL before I put on the Metronidazole cream. It worked wonders.
What a great resource of information. I am so glad that I found this site.
Lots to try. Lots to experiment with. Feel like conducting my own personal clinical trials -
Thanks to P to P Pharmacy for making this info available, and to all who share. Not certain how long to try each suggestion tho. One or 2 weeks sufficient?
Tried the Metro..... Rx w/out result. Ready for alternatives.
Hi! Well done on this article. I have a little question though... Since I have rosacea I use metronidazol creme. But everytime I quit the stuff, the redness comes back! It's very irritating.
Now I read that lysine might do the trick. Anyone know if this is true? I started taking lysine and the bumps cleared, but I'm still very red and itchy. Also I read that taking lysine on a permanent basis might do more bad than good.
Still looking for help....
Thank you,
Patricia
I have been seeing a dermatologist for years for my rosacea. Nothing really helps much, and many things burn my skin. So I went to see my Neurologist for headaches and he asked what I was doing for my face. I told him I tried everything, but currently using Finacea. He told me to use Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo on my face, for about 5 minutes, while taking a shower. The first time in 8 years, the redness is finally going away!
It took 3 days to start to show, and its still been 2 weeks, but it is the best I've seen it. It is very drying, so I just moisturize like crazy after my shower and that takes care of the dryness.
I have been on all medications, and tried a bunch of creams.. I have purchased special devices to clean my face at night that promise to remove the red. The only thing I am left with is a very red, irritated face and a bunch of expensive creams. A friend of mine showed me an article from the news paper about using selsun blue shampoo on your face to clear the rosacea.
I thought.. well if it were only that easy, why weren't more doctors telling patients to use it?? But, I also thought, it's only five bucks.. why not try it. So I did, and I have to tell you, that within 3 days.. there was a HUGE difference in my face. I bought the original selsun blue. I put it on in the shower in the morning and leave it on for about 1-2 minutes. It definitely does dry your face out, but I put lotion on afterwards. The face may seem red because of being dry and putting lotion on, but after a few minutes, the redness goes away. I can't tell you all how very surprised I was that this simple drug store purchase works on such a terrible problem that most people are willing to spend tons of money on to fix...
can someone tell me which selsuun blue.. I went to get it today, I know you said original.. but which one is the original? One has salycitic acid, one had sulfur and there was another kind which I can't remember the main medicinal ingredient...
I've resorted to IPL laser which is expensive and not effective so am willing to try anything at this point.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: "Original" Selsun blue has selenium sulfide.