Newbie looking for help

[thorneck]

To all:

I’ve recently realized after years of suffering from acne breakouts that I have rosacea. In addition to the papules and pustules associated with acne I have dry itchy eyes, redness and what looks like small veins on my face (nose and eye area.) I’ve tried benzoyle peroxide for the acne like symptoms but the redness that followed was unbearable. This week I’m going to see my primary care physician for consultation but I’m worried he many not be too well informed on the topic of rosacea and what would be the best treatment. Can anyone perhaps recommend the best treatment option for someone in my position? Presently I’m not working and going to school, so a dermatologist is out of the question.

I’ve also been reading up on holistic/natural treatments. From what I’ve read grape seed extract and pycnogenol have show some positive results. Does anyone know whether this would help with the “spider veins.” Also, if any other natural treatments that might assist the condition or perhaps some OTC treatment options that have shown some positive results, that would be great,

My biggest concern is how can I treat something like acne that requires more aggressive treatments as well as something like rosacea, that from what I’ve read, seems to require a more sensitive treatment approach. I apologize if I sound like an idiot, this is all new to me. If anyone could help at all I would really appreciate it. This whole thing is pretty frustrating and I don’t know how to handle it. I’m only 26 and honestly I’m worried that this condition is totally unmanageable.

Thanks,

Todd

[claudia]

Welcome Todd ~

There's a wealth of info on this board that'll hopefully help. My situation was like yours, although I continued using Benzoil Peroxide for much much longer than I should've (decades). I ended up with almost raw skin...yes, fewer lesions but flaky red raw skin! Anyway, what's helped me the most is listed at bottom of the page.

Basically, if you have bad p&p's (papules and pustules) that cause your skin to swell up and turn red and you have tiny spider veins due to harsh acne products then you'll have to try a more gentle approach.

1. You'll need a gentle topical ointment designed to help the skin heal, calm down and also kill bacteria. Metrogel 1% does this and there are other similar products that work the same. The key thing here is to use a product with perscription strength but also something NOT designed for acne (too harsh). Do NOT let your doc try any retinols or anything designed to peel the skin. You'll have to be very aggressive about asking the doc questions about how anything he/she prescribes works. (...trust me about this...most of us have horrific tales of well-meaning docs who had us experiment with harsh products only to have the rosacea then get worse!!!)

2. To start with you'll probably also need something systemic to really attack the p&p's. This usually means an antibiotic. You can try minocycline or doxycycline. If you've never used these before they may work for you. Unfortunately, most of us have used them in the past and they lose their effectiveness the 2nd time around. That's why I switched gears and am now using a sulfa drug and it works wonders! You start on a high dose and then slowly lower it to almost nothing. At the lower doses it mainly works to keep inflammation down which in turn helps the skin to heal and to react less so then you have less outbreaks.

3. Eating calming foods and avoiding foods known to inflame skin can also help. It takes some experimenting to discover which foods seem to inflame your skin. But some common ones are alcohol, spicy foods, wheat, dairy, etc.

4. Learn ways to calm yourself emotionally...meditation, nature, etc. This is so personal but doing something everyday that calms you helps a great deal in lowering the inflammatory response.

5. Always use very gentle cleaning products and lukewarm water. Throw out all acne products and don't get swayed by advertising that claims an acne product is gentle. They aren't, none of them. A good cleanser is OLAY for Sensitive Skin Foaming Facial Wash. Pat your skin dry and never rub it. For daytime use a facial lotion with SPF. I like Olay Lotion for Sensitive Skin.

As you probably are already learning...the lesions you get because of rosacea are different than acne. It may look the same but the root cause is different. Acne lesions are mainly caused by hormones and androgenic responses in the body...which is why most people stop breaking out when their hormones calm down in adulthood. There are an unfortunate few who continue to be sensitive to androgens, even in normal amounts, and continue to breakout despite age (...that's me...I have rosacea and androgen related lesions when not taking treatment...). And then there are people who have very sensitive skin or facial veins that react to all kinds of triggers (food, weather, stress, etc.) and their skin inflames getting red and sometimes breaking out...this is rosacea! You never outgrow this.

I hope this helps. Regular docs can help if they're willing to become educated about rosacea and its subtypes. However, you'll probably have to do much of the research and take in articles, etc to make your point. If you have a good doc whose willing to listen, the he/she can work with you to get a regime that works.

P.S. With rosacea, it takes time for the skin to calm down, especially if you've used harsh acne treatments for awhile so be patient. Be gentle. Also find someone who you can talk to about it. Also, keep a journal of what you're doing, how your skin looks that day, how you're feeling, and what's working and not working. You'll be surprised at how much this helps!

CV

[phlika29]

Hi

I've replied to you in your other thread.

sarah

[claudia]

Where's the other thread?

[claudia]

...found it --- never mind