Diagnosed yesterday -- bummed out today

[Rhea]

Hi! I went to my GP yesterday thinking I was having an extreme bout of allergies and acne...and he diagnosed rosacea. My eyes are bloodshot, my eyelids are swollen, and I have terrible itching around my eyes and nose, and my tongue is sore. My skin is blotchy and red, and I do have acne and flaky skin, especially around my nose. I'm 58 and post-menopausal and I hate going to the doctor.

This morning I made an appointment with a dermatologist because I'd like a second opinion, and should it turn out I do have rosacea (or some other skin condition) I want the guidance of a specialist. Unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment until October. So, while I'm waiting, what do you all recommend I do as far as educating myself about rosacea, and self-care?

Thank you!

[Melissa W]

Hi Rhea,
I'm sorry you are going through this but I am glad you found us. There is a lot of info here so take it slowly and don't get overwhelmed. One day at a time.
Here is a link that gives a good overview of rosacea.
http://rosacea-research.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

First I recommend (if you haven't already) finding a good sunscreen you can apply whenever you are going to be exposed to UV rays. Many rosaceans have sensitive skin and find that titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide (physical sunblock) works best over the chemical sunscreens. Wearing a hat is also helpful in keeping cool and protected.

Diet plays a role in triggers so the key is finding what may be your trigger(s). That varies for each individual and it takes trial and error to find what might exacerbate your rosacea. Most people are sensitive to alcohol, spicy foods and hot (temp) food. But many avoid dairy, simple carbs etc. In the link I gave you there is a dietary section as well as lots of info here under lifestyle and diet.

Also it is best to go simple. Use minimum of topicals/makeup etc and treat your face gently. Take a look at our topical section and you will see what works for others and what doesn't. Everyone is different and much of finding what works for you comes through trial and error so patience is key.

We are here when you have questions and/or need support. Hang in there- one day at a time and you will find what works for you and you'll be OK.

Best,
Melissa

[Brady Barrows]

There is also a wealth of information at the RRDi.

[Rhea]

Thanks Brady for the link. I will definitely check that out.

Thanks Melissa for the encouragement and advice. Overwhelmed is definitely how I'm feeling right now. I found some interesting info on the forum that I think might be very useful, for example the histamine intolerance discussions and the discussions about food triggers. I have a long history of food problems. As an infant I had colic, and as a young adult I had colitis. In 1987 I was exposed to some chemicals at work which threw my immune system into overdrive and I developed severe allergies to a number of foods, aspirin, and NSAIDs. My allergist recommended that I completely avoid artificial food additives e.g. colorings, preservatives, etc. and I've eaten only all-natural foods, organic when possible, since then. My present mindset is "here we go again" because once more it seems that the instruction manual for how to take care of my body has been thrown out the window, and I have to retool and rethink little things like washing my face, what I eat and drink, and how I dress when I'm outdoors.

My GP prescribed Patanol and Metrogel, My insurance company is pushing back on the Patanol but hopefully he can convince them that I need this medication. Based on info I found on the forum I've started using Cetaphil, which is soothing but I wish it didn't contain fragrance. However my skin is still very oily in the T-zone and I'm not sure if it's safe for me to continue to use a clay mask to draw out the worst of the oil.

I think the thing that's thrown me for a loop most of all is that I don't fit the general profile for someone who would develop this disorder. I'm Jewish and my ancestry is Russian, Austrian, German and Hungarian. Although I'm fair-skinned I have brown hair, brown eyes, and an olive complexion that tans quickly and deeply. No one in my family has ever had rosacea. I don't like being the exception to the rule because it might mean that what works for most people with rosacea won't necessarily work for me.

Well, thanks for the opportunity to vent! I'm so glad I found this forum. There's so much amazing information here and I'm grateful for the people who've shared their experiences and successes.

[arb161]

Hi Rhea and welcome to the forum. I also don't fit the description. Romanian jewish on one side and northern italian on the other. Also have fair skin but dark hair and eyes. After some searching I found that there is some (2) very mild Rosacea on the Italian side (go figure the Romanians are all have blond hair and blue eyes) but other than that nothing. We also have had some darker skinned people posting. So as they say nobody knows exactly what causes this disease. Early on my symptoms included some itching and I still use vanicream as a moisturizer. But as you have already found out there is a lot of information out there and everybody is different in terms of what works for them. Unfortunately it really is trial and error.
Please keep us posted as to how you are doing
Arlene

[Rhea]

Thanks Arlene, it helps to know I'm not the only atypical person with rosacea. I have two relatives, one on each side of my family, who are in their nineties and might know about generations of the family that I'm too young to have met. My mother's family is from Russia. Both her parents were fair, and my grandfather was a blue-eyed blonde. My mother also had blonde hair. I take more after my father's side of the family. His mother was dark skinned and had black hair.

I've decided the best course of action is to assume that my GP's diagnosis is correct and learn as much as I can and get into some good habits while I'm waiting for my appointment with the dermatologist.

I have another question though, about flushing. I'm not sure I experience flushing. I almost never blush. I do sometimes feel overheated but I can't say I've noticed that the skin on my chest, neck and face turn red in response. Could someone explain a bit more about what flushing is (and is not) because I'm not sure I understand what's meant by the term.

[arb161]

Flushing is very much like blushing except in Rosacea it's much more intense and painful. It's not transient and connected to something like an embarrassing moment. For some the painful burning sensation can last for hours. It's a very good idea to become very familiar with the disease as there are a lot of dctors/dermatoligists who probably had only a 10 minute discussion about it in med school. I'm not sure what your symptoms are but, in my opinion, not flushing is really good. Rosacea has sever subtypes and some people never flush. But that doesn'tmean the acne component is a walk in the park either. It is important to trat Rosacea as early as possible because it can progress. The usual routine is to start people on antibiotics and metrogel. For some this is all they need
Arlene

[willingtotry]

Hi Rhea,

I am younger than you and have only recently been diagnosed as well. I have had it for 7 weeks so it is all still fresh in my memory and i still live in fear. For the first month i sat in my room, never socialised, worried and just went to work hoping it didn't get worse in a short time. It has been an emotional rollercoaster and still is. At the moment i seem to be having good and bad days with my flushing and emotionally. However, i have found this website to be great and full of wonderful knowledge and helpful people. So, in a way, i am trying to pay it forward.

I can't understand where you are at. You are desperately trying to research as much as you can and looking for ways to tackle your situation. I have spent hours reading posts and have made changes and bought new products this week. I am putting together a plan, have changed my diet and trying to get a regime to rid this problem, if it can be rid.

Anyway, I have found that metrogel has had a calming influence. It works for some and not for others, but i definitely feel improvement after using it.

IN the meantime, i found this article today which i thought was good reading for a newbie. It pretty much summed up everything i had read over a course of time

REATMENT

Diet

Recommended Food

Eat lots of raw foods. In their natural state, vegetables, fruits, nuts, sprouts, and seeds all possess enzymes that help you convert food into the nutrients that are needed for skin and circulatory health. Green leafy vegetables are especially good for rosacea patients, as they’re an excellent source of trace minerals.

Drink several glasses of fresh vegetable juices a day. If you have rosacea, it’s likely that your digestive system isn’t processing food thoroughly, and juices are a potent way to deliver nutrients directly to your bloodstream.

Make sure your diet includes plenty of fiber. If you’re eating a couple of servings of raw foods at every meal, you’re probably getting almost as much fiber as you need to keep toxins moving through your digestive tract, instead of erupting from your skin. Add whole grains and beans to round out your meals.

Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation. Have cold-water fish from a clean source several times a week, and eat flaxseeds (1 to 2 tablespoons, with 10 ounces of water) each day.

A deficiency of B vitamins has been found in many people who have rosacea. Brown rice, oats, wheat germ, nutritional brewer’s yeast, and whole-grain bread and crackers are all good sources. If you tend to be anxious, B vitamins will also help you feel calmer.

It’s generally inadvisable to take antibiotics for most cosmetic disorders (save them for the more severe infections), but if you feel you must take them, be sure to eat some live unsweetened yogurt or another cultured product every day. Cultured foods replace the “friendly” intestinal bacteria that antibiotics strip away.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid food items that make you flush. Spice food, caffeine, and alcohol are tripwires for most rosacea sufferers. Sugar and iodized salt may also dilate your blood vessels. Learn which foods bother your skin, and eliminate them from your diet.

Be careful of food and drinks that are hot in temperature. Allow hot beverages and soups to cool before you eat them.

Saturated fat has an inflammatory effect on many body systems, including the skin. If you stay away from red meat and fried, greasy foods, you’ll also improve your digestion.

Detoxification

Follow a one- to three-day juice fast to clean toxins and irritants from your body and to put your digestive system in optimum working order. You should drink a variety of liquids during your fast, but green drinks and cleansing herbal preparations are especially supportive of detoxification.

General Recommendations

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) improves liver function and detoxification for optimal skin health. Take 250 mg three times daily of a 80 to 85 percent silymarin extract.
Digestive enzymes help you to digest food more efficiently. Take 1 to 2 capsules of a full-spectrum enzyme product with each meal. Lipase enzymes that digest fat appear to be particularly important for people with this condition.
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) improves hormone balance for premenopausal and menopausal women affected by rosacea. Take 80 mg of a 2.5 percent triterpene glycoside extract daily.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains a rich source of antioxidants and substances that assist detoxification. Drink the organic tea regularly (2 cups or more daily) or take 500 to 1,500 mg of the capsule form.
Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation of the skin. Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil of 5 grams of fish oil daily, or a formulation that contains a mixture of omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) extract improves liver function, which is important for healthy skin. Take 800 mg twice daily.
A super green food supplement supplies phytonutrients that improve skin health. Take an organic super green food such as chlorella, spirulina, alfalfa, or a mixture of super green foods each day. Take as directed on the container.
Aloe vera gel is soothing and anti-inflammatory. Apply it directly to the affected area. Test it out on a small patch of your skin first, as you may be highly sensitive to many preparations, even gentle herbal ones.

http://www.lifesource4life.com/conditions/c-rosacea.htm

[willingtotry]

Sorry, that was that i can understand where you are at.

PS. After 7 weeks, my burning has improved from the initial days.

[Rhea]

Thanks for all the good info. everybody! Fortunately I already eat a diet that's pretty healthy for people with inflammatory issues. I have a long nasty history of allergies and food problems (colic, colitis, lactose intolerance) as well as arthritis. I try not to antagonize my immune system as it can lead to some very dangerous results, including anaphylactic shock. All of the cosmetics, soaps and shampoos that I use are natural. I don't tolerate artificial ingredients well, especially dyes and fragrances.