Don't know what to eat.

[Seamonster]

Hi.

So, recently I have become incredibly paranoid and obsessed about my skin condition, and I thought I should try all sorts of things to see if I could improve. -Note that I know obsession is not good, but I have been having a bad couple of months, so cut me some slack!-

Anyway, about two weeks ago I started with food supplements and the like, and I have cut dairy, citrus and soya. The problem is that it's really hard to tell whether there is any change and, if there is a change, what is causing it. There are also several different types of diet and I have no idea which one could be (if there is one) useful for me. Sugar-free? Gluten-free? Fish-free?

Before I changed my diet I was eating mostly as a vegetarian with some fish from time to time. Lots of wholegrain. Never had much chocolate or sweets. I would have some alcohol occasionally. Never noticed any food related flush, but maybe I was not paying attention enough. I actually never noticed beer related flushes either, but I feel guilty if I drink alcohol because it is supposed to be bad. I have noticed red wine having an effect.

A few nights ago I have a good chunk of chocolate cake, cheese, eggplants, tomatoes and what not, and in the morning I was exactly as at night. Then, I had a weird flush in the afternoon, which disappeared after a few hours. It's all very unpredictable and mysterious.

So, basically, I have no idea what to eat.

Opinions? Suggestions? How long does it normally take before you see he negative effects of a certain type of food on the skin?

Cheers

[clfergus]

Seamonster - I know what you mean about being stressed and paranoid. I was in the same boat for the past 6 weeks and am still to some degree.

BAsed on your post, it sounds like you have some skin issue but you haven't seen a derm to get a diagnosis. Sounds like you have tried to eliminate some foods to test the impact on your condition.

There are many people on here who can give you great advice as I have been given..but they will need to know the history of your issue. Even then...they will only be able to give you advice until you get a diagnosis. Then you can zero in on what has worked for others with your condition. Like you, I tried multiple diet changes when I became aware of my face issues with little or no results. This only led me to stress even more...which made my face worse.

The steps to take are detail your issue on here (How it started, times its the best/worst, status today).

Get an appointment to go see a derm to get a diagnosis.

And try and relax..everyone told me this but I had a hard time. Since I have my condition has gotten better.

For me, I have Seb. Dermititis and experienced a bad flare when I started focusing on my face. I cut out all fatty foods, alcohol, sweets, caffeine...started working out and using my medications and have seen much improvement. My father in law has it on his face too but a small amount in his cheeks folds. Who knows why his is so mild and mine got so bad.

Try and relax....everyone on here will be a big help in finding what will work for you.

[Seamonster]

Hey, thanks.

I am 30. Was diagnosed with rosacea about two and a half years ago. Have had it for longer, but my nose turned permanently red in 2006 - it was a period of great stress.

Have redness on nose and cheeks. I have been using Finacea gel since, but really, I haven't seen any difference. Recently, I have started Metrocream too.

I guess my condition is mostly mild, but sometimes my nose gets more red.

I have been under emotional stress the last couple of months and I went from relatively at ease with my condition to obsessed. I can seemingly keep it under control most of the time. If I put some cream on my face, you can hardly see the redness and most people don't seem to notice it, or aren't bothered by it.

Problem is I keep thinking I am gonna get worse and worse, and that I can do nothing about it.

Anyway, this is my situation at the moment. I think I might just go back to my normal diet and see if things get worse.

[clfergus]

I can see that you are on so I will respond even though I don't have Rosacea. There are quite a few regular posters on here who do and I have even seen some on here who have gotten theirs really under control or even put it into remission by finding the right treatment.

They will all tell you, finding the right Derm who you fit with is the key. For me, I went through five (crazy right) in a 5 week span. I just had a gut feeling each one wasn't right for me. The fifth just made me feel confortable. I have been on her treatment for 8 days and have improved so much.

For the redness there are options out there from what I have read. IPL lasers have reduced most if not all of some peoples redness. Many on here have had them...and can help you to ask the right questions of your derm. Some experience reduction in redness by a strict diet. You can read about that and try it for a few months to see what helps.

Some people control it with diet....my wife just found out her hair stylists mom has Rosacea and has cleared all of the redness with Oracea. Some people that doesn't work for.

Sounds like yours isnt too bad so you will be able to find a solution. Hope everyone can help you as much as they have me.

[MasK]

For me, the flushes after eating (1h or more after) is linked to the intake of carbohydrates.
Check for dysbiosis on google, leaky gut and/or irritable bower syndrome.
I don't expericence any flush anymore after eating, due to L-glutamine (on a empty stomach 2 grams a day in the morning), probiotics, a powder with fructo-oligo saccharides (for the growth of friendly intestinal bacterias) and sillymarin (liver aid).
But if I take too much carbs (bread, fibers...) I feel some bloating in the right low of the belly and the flush come in my face.
My skin has improved about 75% in 3 months just by doing a candida diet and taking some supplements. I had too much candida albicans due to antacids taken during 10 years (omeprazole).
I experience now flush only one time a week now or smth. (due to eating).
My diet is : no carbs except whole breads but no gluten, no dairy, no satured fats, no added sugar, and only pears and apples for the fruits. I eat meat one or two times a week (cooked with no fat), and eat fish everyday. I'm also taking colza oil in salads. It a bit strict but it works and I think one day the prob will be totally solved so I will eat some others things.
But my skin is damaged with little blood vessels, so I'm a bit red when hot or windy weather.
But I think it will improve if the inner inflammation is gone... I hope!
I've never put a cream on my face, even when it was dry, and have only taken internal supplements and changed my diet...
Hope this could help you a bit.

[Seamonster]

Thanks for the replies.

[MissD]

You're worrying way too much. Just start a rosacea journal and write down when you flush and what you ate, if anything. Over time you might notice some patterns and then make adjustments. Personally, I have found no food triggers save for the usual spicy or sour food and hot beverages which I rarely ate in the first place anyway.

[phlika29]

My advice would be similar to Miss D's, start a food diary and see if there appears to be any correlation to what you eat and the condition of your skin/flushing. The trouble I found with this is that reactions did not appear instantly and so in the end it was impossible to really know.

After a couple of weeks if you think there are foods that seem to cause you problems just try cutting them out one at a time ie tomatoes. This should be a good starting point for things to watch:

http://www.rosacea-research.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dietary_Influence

[joanna b]

You're worrying way too much. Just start a rosacea journal and write down when you flush and what you ate, if anything. Over time you might notice some patterns and then make adjustments. Personally, I have found no food triggers save for the usual spicy or sour food and hot beverages which I rarely ate in the first place anyway.

I am also new to this and majorly stressing over diet, what to use on my face, etc, my dr. and derm think I may have rosacea (brought on my low immune system when I had a really nasty strep infection). The burning, crawling sensations are horrible, as well as lots of pimples. that seem worse after alcohol and sun. I did read in some blogs that tea tree oil can help don't know what the members would say to that. I have been prescribed daktacort and if that doesn't work then limecycline but after trawling thru all the stuff on the net i dont feel like going down either of these routes. can anyone recommend a good skin care line? i'm thinking about calmin or rosacea care.

[Melissa W]

Hi Joanna,

I like Eucerin and Cerave for skin care. I find them to be very soothing and calming to my sensitive skin.

[banshee]

After agonizing over what I ate and feeling so limited, I got sick of missing out on things which were actually healthy for me! I realized it's not about finding foods (or skincare) that don't make me flush at all as there are few if any, rather than sticking to things which make me flush the least. So I find if I eat common sense things-fresh organic fruits, veggies, salads, oatmeal, wild salmon, nuts, lean chicken etc I do well.

This is not to say there aren't foods which will flare you out (or for some cause p&p's), and you want to learn if you have any food sensitivities which can complicate matters. For i.e. I have lactose intolerance so for me dairy can be somewhat problematic, and generally it's not good for me to OD on sugar.

Identifying any underlying digestive issues also helps. I have GERD so that will cause major spontaneous flushing from indigestion and reflux, so I take HCL, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.

Important to note is it is normal to flush after eating-even for "normal" people. It's just a question of how visible it is. I'll typically get a flush that lasts an hour 20 min after I start eating I attribute to blood sugar spike.

Obviously if something is salty, spicy etc-it can cause an immediate flush, but the transit time for most meals least in my system, is 3 hours. So I know if I have a meal another flush will hit about 3hrs later. Some things will process quicker, like dairy which will occur in about 2 hours. Carbs like bread and sugar snacks follow the 20 min pattern......Supplements-anything fat soluble generally takes 3 hrs, water soluble 2.

In the beginning my face was so painful, food flushes made it much worse. However, once I understood my system-it took the edge off eating and there's lots of stuff I can have now.

HTH and hang in there console:

[allibear]

Well I am really miffed about the whole food thing.

I am intolerent to most food at the moment, only thing my stomach and skin likes at the moment is white carbs oddily enough as it is the only thing that keeps the acid down, but man cannot live by bread alone, even drinking water makes my skin instantly itch and go red.

But here is an Ironic one for you-Jellybabies.

Yep I went to the pic's last week and got a load of jellybabies at the pic and mix. I thought I would probably throw them all up at one point as my stomach is all over the place at the moment but no. First night since I had my gallbladder op that my stomach didn't start to roar in bed through the night, which was good because it is so loud I want to go and sleep in the next room away from itlaugh:, I didn't have itching skin through the night and I didn't wake with my face looking like a red puffed up hamster with yet another papule on board.

Have tried it since, stomach gets roary skin gets itchy a few jelliebabies settles it down, . Perhaps it's time to get onto the wine gumslaugh:

[Melissa W]

Hey Alli,

Sorry about all the food problems you are having console:

Are jellybabies the same as jelly bellies? I love Jelly bellies!!! Love:
However, I gave them up 2 years ago in an effort to decrease the amount of sugar I was consuming and I really miss them Cry:
They are so yummy!

http://www.jellybelly.com/Shop/ShopMain.aspx?CategoryID=Jellybeans


Hope you start feeling better and that your food issues can be resolved very soon!!
(though I wouldn't hate being on a diet of bread and jelly bellies if there were no health consequences LOL)


Best wishes,
Melissa

[allibear]

Hey Alli,

Sorry about all the food problems you are having console:

Are jellybabies the same as jelly bellies? I love Jelly bellies!!! Love:
However, I gave them up 2 years ago in an effort to decrease the amount of sugar I was consuming and I really miss them Cry:
They are so yummy!

http://www.jellybelly.com/Shop/ShopMain.aspx?CategoryID=Jellybeans


Hope you start feeling better and that your food issues can be resolved very soon!!
(though I wouldn't hate being on a diet of bread and jelly bellies if there were no health consequences LOL)


Best wishes,
Melissa

LOL, I think they are made of similar stuff to the jelly bean only they don't have the outer candy coating, funny I spotted the jelly beans in another tub and was going to add a scoop of those too but thought I would just try one type as I didn't know how my stomach was going to react and I sat on the very outside chair near the aisle, just incase I either needed to throw or 'scoot' the other waylaugh:

Apparently what I am experiencing isn't anything out of the ordinary after having your gallbladder removed although the intense skin itching is miffing the doctor's and I am waiting for an appointment back with the surgeon. I've had some liver function tests done to rule out bile salts been dumped which could cause the itch. It's quite bad it's like every nerve ending goes on fire or something. Antihistamines are keeping the urticaria down, which started to flare up after the surgery, and I suspect keeping my face in some sort of check too, but they won't stop the itch which occurs with anything I eat that just travels too fast from the stomach to the bowl, main culprits are fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, which will all be out in a matter of minutes of consuming them. I have found french baguttes, Pannini's, Irish soda farls and fresh egg noodles great bombs in which to hide a little bit of veg. or salad to fool the stomach, and reduce the speed of transit and the on slaught of gas they produce in the colon not to mention the acid burn, so ye I guess it is improving. Though I can't eat much in protein either that tends to come up the other way, small bits of chicken or white fish is about it. .

It's all very sensitive in there, anything not chewed or pulverised in the cooking process I feel grating me to bits until it comes out the other end. It is still healing and I still have abdominal pain from the surgery. I guess it's just going to take time. I spoke to a lady lives nearby and she said that she felt it took the best part of a year before things got back to normal, she still to this day has to take antacids and there are foods she can no longer eat, funny she has a problem with salad too. So I guess I just have to go with the flow of what works best for the situation, big baguettes, scones and jelly babies! One thing I'll say the grocery bill is a lot less than it was and ye I don't hate it either and although I feel I am eating a bit crappy, crappy seems to make less pain and internal, external termoil???? can't figure it out myself unless 'stoogy' stuff is just gentler on my ruffled up intestines.

[valby]

Allibear can I ask about your itching LOL?

I have for a few years had this strange itching sensation under the skin on my left rib. I had a squillion tests for gall bladder probs and have awful acid reflux/nausea etc. Is the itching you get a sensation under the skin that makes you want to itch through your skin? I am starting to wonder if I have some weird gastric dumping syndrome.

Anyway I feel for you, nothing worse than gastro issues console:

[allibear]

Allibear can I ask about your itching LOL?

I have for a few years had this strange itching sensation under the skin on my left rib. I had a squillion tests for gall bladder probs and have awful acid reflux/nausea etc. Is the itching you get a sensation under the skin that makes you want to itch through your skin? I am starting to wonder if I have some weird gastric dumping syndrome.

Anyway I feel for you, nothing worse than gastro issues console:

Valby that is exactly what it's like and I have had it just recently localised under the ribs and sternum area, incidently I also had the most horrible burn in the middle of the stomach that night after having a bowl of porridge. Should have known better as dumping is exactly what is leaving me with a bad burn, nausea, itching and my face feeling a bit on the 'hot' side, and any wholegrain, fruit or vegetable just seems to totally by pass my stomach and go straight down the toilet in seconds. I have things 'half' under control by sticking as close to a 'white' diet as possible, but keep feeling I am missing valuable nutrition and messing things up for myself.

I do think it is the acid swimming around with nothing to digest that causes the itch, of course in my case it could be too much bile being dumped by the liver going into the intestines that is causing it, only if I eat something 'white' or drink some milk it calms down so I am hinging towards a bet on stomach acid. Either way I know the stomach dumping is the underlying culprit. I have tried to explain what I feel going on inside to the doctor without much success but I am hoping when I see the surgeon again they will understand what I am trying to describe and hopefully be able to recommend something for it.

I returned to work 2 weeks ago but have a physical job and haven't been able to stay on my feet with the back pain, bowel pain and soreness round the surgical inscisions coming up again, my abdomen just feells 'tight' all the time, when it relaxes the pain isn't half as bad, and having horrible diarrhea within minutes of eating anything. Dumping syndrom is quite common after gallbladder removal and there is something they can give you for it but the doctor didn't seem to know and I'm hoping for some resolution, help or advice to come from the surgeon because I frankly can't go on like this.

When the itch comes up all over I have noticed it is worse where the skin is thinnest, along the jawline, head, ribs, spine, down the shins etc. but as I am now so skinny all over I guess that is why I feel it everywhere, no skin left on the bonesCry:

I have been on omeprazole for 6 weeks now with little effect on reducing the acid. I believe it is because the thing gets dumped straight to the bowel, I actually can feel the tablet drop, (I feel all my food move around it's horrible), and think it goes off in the wrong place and I have taken a decission to stop it temporarily to see if that is what is causing my lower back pain, which is a relatively 'new' symptom. I tried Gaviscon which did kill the acid and ease the itch for the 2 seconds it ran through the stomach and then burnt me in the lower abdoman 2 seconds later as it went down the toilet. That's the problem, the meds don't even seem to stay in the stomach long enough to work.

To test if it is maybe acid related try eating some white bread or drinking some milk to see if it eases it. I nibble on rich tea biscuits at night if it is driving me bonker's and I can't sleep, a bit sad I know, keeping a packet of rich tea under the bed.

[valby]

Alli my heart goes out to you. I have tried both nexium and pariet (not sure of the actual drug names) and find if I take them consistently I feel a lot better. If I go without I actually have acid come up the back of my nose and regurgitate my food--ew!!!

Anyway the ENT said my throat was already red, and that I needed to keep taking the PPI's to stop any erosion happening-nice!

Having had most of my family have the gall bladders out makes me think I will too in the not too distant future.

I hope things improve for you.

[allibear]

Alli my heart goes out to you. I have tried both nexium and pariet (not sure of the actual drug names) and find if I take them consistently I feel a lot better. If I go without I actually have acid come up the back of my nose and regurgitate my food--ew!!!

Anyway the ENT said my throat was already red, and that I needed to keep taking the PPI's to stop any erosion happening-nice!

Having had most of my family have the gall bladders out makes me think I will too in the not too distant future.

I hope things improve for you.

Sorry valby it's been a few months but I have been meaning to come back to you on this one and the skin itching business etc.

I was wrong about the acid causing the itch it's billary sludge, well in my case anyway but as you had brought up the problem with gallbladders running in the family it might be a similar thing.

For god sake if you have to have the beastly sack out at some point, insist on them doing the duct clearence prior to surgery. I was told small stones and sludge would just clear itself but was left with substancially sized stones still in ducts in the liver preventing this from happening and when it did start to move I got an an intestinal blockage from too much surging at once. It's all been very nasty. My liver is not totally cleared yet I can still feel very small bits and pieces when I eat but it has drastically improved over the past four weeks. PInk Grapefruit juice, (and eating the odd one too), has finally been the one of the many things I was drinking to try and clear it. Working better than lemons. Itching has all virtually gone apart from an odd bit that fires up in the sternum area and under the ribs on the right side.

I'm sure this will all be worth it in the end but at this moment and time I wish I had never let them touch me surgically.

I'm back on the PPI too I was having acid coming up through the night and had to sleep upright, that at least is under control now and I'll probaly be on it for a while. Last thing I want is to end up getting an ulcer or something.