Dr Nase - please!I don't know what to do...

[qcoo]

Hello Dr Nase!I've got rosacea-like skin problem but my dermatologist says that it's not rosacea. Please read this and write what to do.
1. I've got visible dilated capillaries (permanent redness) I've tried many creams formulated for skin with vascular problems (Rosaliac, Rosacure) without any effect. I don't have any pimples.
2. I've had 2 IPL treatments with some effects but my skin was in better condition only for 5-7 weeks after treatment.
3. Metronidazole ointment 3% - good effects I've also tried 0,75% metronidazole cream but it didn't help. I've been using 3% ointment since 2 months and now my skin isn't sensitive - I can eat hot meals drink hot tea/coffe and alcohol and without flare up (same with stressful situations). I've got some pale patches where skin is cured.
4. My skin was intolerant even to creams for allergic skin - my face was burning and very red. After metronidazole treatment this intolerance doesn't occure.
5. Helicobacter pylori test negative
6. Neostrata Bionic cream - good effects - less visible capillaries.

What do you think?What else can I do?
Regards

Sorry for my poor english - it's not official language of my country

[irishgenes]

I'm not Dr. Nase, but...do you flush? If so, you've probably got rosacea. I was told I didn't have rosacea by one dermatologist even though I have flushing, papules & pustules, dilated capillaries, swelling of the nose tip, & ocular symptoms. There is a low level of knowledge about rosacea among average dermatologists. That's why we are all on here asking questions. Unfortunately, we usually wind up going from doctor to doctor trying to find someone to help us.

[qcoo]

I don't but I did - in stressful situations after hot meal or when I used cream even for alergic skin - after metronidazole treatment I almost don't flush (maybe 1 - 2 times per week in very stressful situations - I don't flush without any serious reason). Moreover as I wrote in my first post - creams formulated for skin with vascular problems/rosacea don't improve the condition of my skin (eg. Diroseal - quite popular in Europe cream with retinaldehide makes my skin burning). Maybe I've got demodex? Hoping you can understand what I mean - I know that my english is very far from perfect.
Regards

[evy]

It's still possible that you have Rosacea, the creams just don't work, or they don't work FOR YOU. It takes several IPL treatments. perhaps 2 aren't enough to get rid of the entire flush.

[qcoo]

Evy - maybe you're right but after metronidazole treatment I don't flush - as far as I know rosaceans don't have so good results with metronidazole. Regards

[Bihbicat]

You really can't diagnose rosacea based on how it does or doesn't respond to various creams from what I can tell. From the symptoms you describe rosacea does sound like a possibilty. One question -- did the Dr who said so emphatically that it wasn't rosacea tell you what they thought it was? Just bear in mind that many of us have had frustrating and misleading experiences with Dr's because this condition is not well understood even by many in the medical field. I'm not saying you do have rosacea -- I can't know either way, but just to not necessarily take that Dr's word as gospel. Why not get a second or third opinion?

[qcoo]

You're right but I've got seven opinions. Every dermatologist says that I'm too young to have rosacea (my skin problems started when I was 8-9 yo) and that if I had rosacea my forehead nose or chin would be affected too.

[Bihbicat]

Well that sounds crazy to me right there (about it having to affect your chin and forehead). There are people in this group who only get it on the cheeks. As to age, well I don't know about that but Dr Nase says in his book that ppl of all ages get it and someone else mentioned on this board that they were diagnosed with it at 11, so there you go.

[Mermaid]

As for seeing seven dermatologists, I know how you feel as I visited many more than that at the start, all fruitless. The thing is that rosacea is a vascular disorder, not a skin disorder. This is the reason that dermatologists are way behind in terms of understanding our condition.

Yes you are young but rosacea does not discriminate with regards to age. It may be that because you are still in the early stages, then this is the reason why your rosacea is confined to your cheeks. Left untreated, your rosacea may spread to other areas but once again, not necessarily.

The universal symptom of rosacea is flushing, so perhaps take note of when you flush, how long you flush for before it disappates etc. This will give you a clue as to whether it may be rosacea.

If you are still perplexed then please invest in a copy of Dr Geoffrey Nase's book 'Beating Rosacea' and when you visit your next doctor, take the book along and pray that he or she is open to suggestions that you may indeed have rosacea.

The book will also teach you about things that you may be doing or using that are unwittingly aggravating your condition such as skin care products. Sometimes just eliminating irritating topicals can make the world of difference.

Unfortunately, many have had to self diagnose themselves because of the ignorance surrounding rosacea. Be your own detective and keep asking us questions.

Mermaid.

[qcoo]

Mermaid - fortunatly I don't flush :)

[bettina]

Don't know if this relates to that, but...I am finding that metrocream, metrogel and metrolotion actually irritate my skin.

I am on accutane for rosacea and acne, low dose.

Can you see another derm???

[Library Lady]

If the Metros irritate ask for a sample of Noritate, it has less preservatives and creams and waxes, etc, than the metros and does not irritate the skin. It really helps keep the p&p's down, in fact when I get one I dot some extra Noritate on it at nite and the p is gone in the a.m. It is also a higher concentration so you get more med, even tho it says once a day, you can use it 2x with no adverse effects and get more med to your skin.

These topicals can take up to 2 months to see a result, so have patience.

[Bonnie]

My doctor has also put me on Neostrata Bionic Face cream. I was wondering if anyone else has tried it or even heard of it. The first couple of weeks I thought great finally something that will help me. After the 3rd week I started getting red blotches under the skin. The doctor told me to try using every other day or every 3 days. He didn't want me to stop using it. He really believes in the stuff but I am not sure why. I started breaking out in P & P's a little so had to go back on Rosula. I hate the smell but it doesn't irritate me like the Metro creams and Azelaic acid creams. I have tried everything over the past 20 years and I am still looking for a miracle!

[Kelli]

Hi there!

I'm the one I think that was referrenced to having it at age 11. I started up right around when my hormones kicked in. then came back when i got pregnant.

I started out only getting the P&P on my cheeks and my chin. They are now going up to my forehead somewhat, but this has been a 2-3 year progression.

I've been on every metro cream, gel, lotion, and noritate, and just about everything else, and they don't work. At least not for me. I've just finished my 5th IPL and it has made me break out probably the worst ever. I normally only have 1 cyst at a time - I have 3, with another one developing.

I would get a Dr. to at least give you a diagnosis. It sounds like they are sticking to their medical books from 1970 and need to be educate again!

Good luck!

[Bonnie]

Kelli, thanks for your quick reply. I have been to 3 derms that are supposedly the best in Nashville. One in particular is very understanding and is willing to let me try just about anything. It is just that they don't really work for me after awhile.

You are right about avoiding the triggers. All the things that I love I am suppose to avoid. And why is it that you crave what you aren't suppose to have!