New here with a few questions.

[MadK]

Hello:

I have been looking for a board like this - I hope you can answer a few questions for me.

I am a 35 year old fair skinned male (father was Irish) who has suffered from mild acne all my life. In 1999 at age 28 I suddenly developed cystic acne. It was treated successfully with Accutane however, I was left with some scarring.

On July 4th of last year at about 3pm while at work I began to get warm. I had never experienced anything like this before. By the time I got home my face was fire engine red. I laid in bed with bags of frozen vegetables on my face in an attempt to cool off.

A few days later my derm diagnosed me with Rosacea. I was initially skeptical because of the condition's quick onset. Everything I had read indicated Rosacea develops over months or years but in hours?

I have since accepted the Doctor's diagnosis as I have developed all the classic symptoms - redness, flushing, pressure, burning, dryness and occasional eye irritation. My forearms and hands also sometimes flush.

I have flare ups about 5 days a week. Each lasting from a few minuets to several hours. Strangely, the attacks usually occur between the hours of 3pm and 7pm. I am overheating as I write this.

My trigger is heat. Stuffy rooms with no airflow does it for me. I have always been a big fan of air conditioning.

I am now on Rosanil, Metrogel and an oral antibiotic. These work well to control the outbreaks but the flushing continues.

I am considering IPL and am desperately seeking a competent and compassionate physician with experience treating Rosacea and the latest IPL machine in the Tampa Bay area.

Thanks for listening. I appreciate you help.

[phlika29]

Welcome to the board.

It amazes me how differently people's rosacea develops. Mine sort of snuck up on me, going from blushing to prolonged flushing after a number od medications.

You may like to have a look through the North America section to see if anyone has discussed IPL in Tampa.

Alot of people flush at certain times of the day. Mine is mid afternoons whilst at work. I rarely flush at the weekends (except when I wake up hot).

Sarah

I rarely flush at the weekends

Me too. I always thought that was kind of odd.

I will check of the other forums - thanks!