I just found out I've got rosacea nose...can't get an appointment for months!!

[Cdw1262]

Hey I'm hoping someone out there may have had a similar experience and maybe can give me some advice since I'm really freaking out now. In my early 20's I used to get flushing and blotchy red spots on my chest after strenous workouts, and my face would get red while drinking alcohol...but it never really bothered me and i never gave it another thought....about two years ago however I first noticed a weird pimple type thing that would come on my nose randomly...Now I'm 29 and they started out small and would last for a day or two then go away. Now about every four months or so I wind up with a rather large red, and very sore and painful bump on either nostril it looks bulbous . This past time it came after I got sunburned and drank alcohol all weekend at BBQ's. It was really red and ugly and painful and I decided to look up my symptoms, and realized from photos and descriptions that I most likely have Rosacea nose. I'm really worried...I can't get in to see a dermatologist for a month and I dont know what to do. Does anyone have any advice? I know i should use tons of sunscreen and stuff like that...but is this basically something I'll have to deal with the rest of my life? Will it just get worse? anyone have a similar experience? I'm a lawyer and I just keep picturing myself waking up for a big court case in the morning with a huge red bulbous spot on my nose and I'm freaking out.

Thanks for taking the time to help, I really appreciate it.

Sam

[Cdw1262]

I added two pictures I took of my nose on the third and 4th day....the swelling and redness had gone way down by this point, but it still gives some idea of what it looks like. thanks again for anyone's help!!

[Acne Rosacea Support]

Hi,

I am exactly like yourself, I have a red nose most of the time also. I originally thought it was a spot that wouldn't go away. I have had rosacea now for 10 years, it is annoying and also embarrassing. If you have rosacea then there is no known cure but you can control it. there are certain triggers that make the redness worse. you should keep sunscreen on it as it will stop sunlight making it worse.


check out my blog at AcneRosaceaSupport.com where I detail my journey and experience, I also have a few pics there as well. you can check out other information like triggers, treatments etc.

Hope this helps

[Brady Barrows]

Might want to read up on trigger avoidance which is an accepted way to control rosacea. You should educate yourself about diagnosing rosacea because there are a number of rosacea mimics which need to be differentiated. When you get your visit to the dermatologist you will have some questions you will without a doubt want answered. You can control this but there is no cure.

[Cdw1262]

Thanks for responding. It's now day 8 since the spot first appeared and it has basically gone away except for a slightly different coloration and a little dry skin. So i'm wondering how my dermatologist will even diagnose it unless I go during a break out? Also, if you google "sore, swollen nose, tender to the touch" it comes up with a lot of people who apparently had a really bad staph infection and the symptoms sound really similar to mine. The thing that worries me is the fact that I had some of the flushing and stuff like that earlier in life....but is that how nose rosacea works? It comes on in big red bumps on my nose, then goes away? Becuase I thought rosacea nose was actually a later stage of rosacea?

[Brady Barrows]

Thanks for responding. It's now day 8 since the spot first appeared and it has basically gone away except for a slightly different coloration and a little dry skin. So i'm wondering how my dermatologist will even diagnose it unless I go during a break out? Also, if you google "sore, swollen nose, tender to the touch" it comes up with a lot of people who apparently had a really bad staph infection and the symptoms sound really similar to mine. The thing that worries me is the fact that I had some of the flushing and stuff like that earlier in life....but is that how nose rosacea works? It comes on in big red bumps on my nose, then goes away? Becuase I thought rosacea nose was actually a later stage of rosacea?

Some papers suggest that rhinophyma (Subtype 3) is the end stage of rosacea (or results from untreated rosacea), but this has been debunked (click here for more info). It is possible one could develop Subtype 3 but the odds are against it if you get treatment from a dermatologist.

Be sure to bring in photos of your nose when visiting the dermatologist. Many rosaceans bring photos because of what you describe above when the flare up goes away and the doctor cannot see it since your face is normal. Be sure to mention your episodes of flushing which is a key differentiator in diagnosing rosacea.

If it was a staph infection generally speaking it would not go away but get worse unless you are taking antibiotics unless you have a strong immune system, but who knows, maybe you are right and it was staph. Might want to ask your doc about it.

[Cdw1262]

I just had my appointment with my primary care doctor today. He looked at some pictures briefly but basically said it was just some sort of infection, happens all the time, and gave me a perscription for a topical cream. I said well what about rosacea, and he blew me off and said no way, that only happens to old men's noses who have been drinking their whole lives and not to worry about it.

I still have a follow up with a dermatologist scheduled for a few months from now. I guess all I can do now is keep taking care of my nose in terms of sunscreen and stuff like that.

[Judworth]

I just had my appointment with my primary care doctor today. He looked at some pictures briefly but basically said it was just some sort of infection, happens all the time, and gave me a perscription for a topical cream. I said well what about rosacea, and he blew me off and said no way, that only happens to old men's noses who have been drinking their whole lives and not to worry about it.

I still have a follow up with a dermatologist scheduled for a few months from now. I guess all I can do now is keep taking care of my nose in terms of sunscreen and stuff like that.

Unbelievable comment from the Gp!

What cream did he give you?

'If' you have rosacea, many creams will make matters worse!

Rosacea as I am sure you will be aware can happen to many people from young through to old (alot who have never touched a drink!).

I would certainly try to see a derm & get a 'proper' diagnosis!

Rosacea MUST be the most missed disease on the planet!

Sorry that you are going through this.

J

[MasK]

To me it is more like an infection (streptococcus) or smth), but not rosacea.
Don't apply steroids (cortisone)! This will give you rosacea! What did he give to you?

[Cdw1262]

thanks guys for the responses. he gave me mupirocin ointment 2%. ever heard of it?