help!

[kirsty21]

hi, im new here and desperately need advice!!

im 21 and for a few years now i've suffered from what i believe to be rosacea. i have regular bouts of severe facial flushing which last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

during these episodes, my face (mainly cheeks but often my chin too) turns deep red and literally burns. sometimes it begins with a red blotch or patch on one cheek but usually spreads right across both cheeks.

triggers for my flushing include being in a warm room (usually with central heating on), being in the sun for even a few minutes, nervousness, being stressed, basically the usual triggers that i have heard rosacea sufferers experience.

this happens on a daily basis and when it does it effects my self confidence no end, i've even had to come home from work on 2 occasions as i cannot stand people looking at me. not that i can blame them, it looks awful! my cheeks go bright red while the rest of me is normal skin tone!

i went to the doctors today for the first time about this problem. he laughed in my face, told me i was too young for rosacea and that id been reading about it too much and i was imagining it. its affecting every aspect of my life and im at a loss as to what i should do.

i will post some pics of myself during a flare up so you can give me your opinions and help me determine whether rosacea is really what i have got. sorry this post is so long, im just so pleased i've found a forum where i can talk to people in the same situation.

kirsty x

[jsack214]

Find a new dermatologist!! I am 19 and definitely have rosacea--pretty much the same kind you are talking about, lots of intense flushing. I saw a doctor while I was in the "pre-rosacea" stage and he told me the same thing--you're 18! no way! stop worrying! Maybe if he had taken me seriously it never would have progressed...but who knows.

For whatever reason many doctors think it is something that only happens to older women. But definitely sounds like rosacea to me. There are of course, other, more rare flushing disorders and it might be worth it just to rule them out.

Jessica

[jsack214]

And another thing I just thought of--anxiety is a huge cause/trigger whatever for my rosacea and I think that people at our age undergo an excessive amount of stress about life decisions etc (speaking from personal experience only obviously). But I do know that a lot of psychosomatic disorders occur in women at our age. Not that the symptoms aren't 100% real, cause trust me, I know they are!!! But personally I think life situations were a huge factor and psychotherapy has truly helped me deal with this 'crisis' and begin to move on with my life more than anything else. Granted you need to deal with the immediate dermatological treatment first and try to get things under control,but rosacea was a gigantic blow to every aspect of my life and after going from an extremely social person to cocooning myself in my room for 6 months I am slowly starting to feel better about life and not let it control me. Definitely see a different dermatologist but I think a holistic approach (take a look at your diet also!) including the psychological aspects can be very helpful. Remember there is nothing wrong or weak about you--rosacea is FRUSTRATING TO NO END!

Jessica

[Steve95301]

Your doctor is a jackass. It's not all in your head, it's a serious issue.

[DonH]

hi, im new here and desperately need advice!!

im 21 and for a few years now i've suffered from what i believe to be rosacea. i have regular bouts of severe facial flushing which last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

during these episodes, my face (mainly cheeks but often my chin too) turns deep red and literally burns. sometimes it begins with a red blotch or patch on one cheek but usually spreads right across both cheeks.

triggers for my flushing include being in a warm room (usually with central heating on), being in the sun for even a few minutes, nervousness, being stressed, basically the usual triggers that i have heard rosacea sufferers experience.

this happens on a daily basis and when it does it effects my self confidence no end, i've even had to come home from work on 2 occasions as i cannot stand people looking at me. not that i can blame them, it looks awful! my cheeks go bright red while the rest of me is normal skin tone!

i went to the doctors today for the first time about this problem. he laughed in my face, told me i was too young for rosacea and that id been reading about it too much and i was imagining it. its affecting every aspect of my life and im at a loss as to what i should do.

i will post some pics of myself during a flare up so you can give me your opinions and help me determine whether rosacea is really what i have got. sorry this post is so long, im just so pleased i've found a forum where i can talk to people in the same situation.

kirsty x

Kristy very sorry to hear about your bad experience with the DERM! Do some research and try to find the best derm. in your area (asking people in the forum is also a good idea)! There are treatments, prescription & products out there that can lessen and even stop this condition. It's a good idea to do whatever you can now instead of later!

Hang in there!! :wink:

Just curious is your skin very smooth just goes red at certain times or is it bumpy & red like pimples?

[kirsty21]

hiya,

my face is quite smooth, i wouldnt say its pimply and my doctor pointed out that if i had rosacea it would be covered in acne. infact, my skin looks normal until i have a flare up, any other time you wouldnt guess i had a skin condition.

[DonH]

hiya,

my face is quite smooth, i wouldnt say its pimply and my doctor pointed out that if i had rosacea it would be covered in acne. infact, my skin looks normal until i have a flare up, any other time you wouldnt guess i had a skin condition.

Sounds like Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

[Coyne]

Pardon my language but your Dr can F*CK off. I'm 21 also and would say I've had Rosacea since I was 15. Go see a derm even if you have to go private. Their knowledge far surpases your GP's. I'm lucky that my GP is a compassionate man and has referred me to a derm.

Welcome to this forum you've found the right place to educate yourself. Good luck with whatever treatment you decide upon.

James
xx

[kirsty21]

dont mind the language at all, i was thinking the same thing actually lol!

kirsty x