I'm glad I found this place, I thought I was alone.....

[YODAHAWK]

First time poster. I have been suffering from Rosacea for close to 5 years now. I was diagnosed by my dermatologist 2 years ago. My rosacea is in the form of large pimples that seem to never want to come to a head. I don't get the overall redness that it seems most get. I do suffer from flushing however. Sometimes my head can feel like a blowtorch for hours, depending on the trigger. My ears will turn as red as a beet. This makes me anxious because I know a new break out is around the corner. I've tried everything to keep the flare ups down except for lifestyle changes. I like my beer but I know it makes my head glow like a lighthouse. I love spicey food but just smelling it makes me sweet. I don't really look forward to a life of bland food, air conditioned dark rooms and a sedentary lifestyle. I feel this rosacea has taken away what are suppose to be the best years of my life. I use to be a really outgoing person but now I want to avoid social occasions at all cost. Hopefuly this forum can help me move on with my life. It appears I am not alone after all.

[DukeCity]

Welcome Yodahawk, -- Fill us in on what treatments you've had, IPL - Laser - accutane - antibiotics??? - and how do you think your Derm is doing in regards to helping you... Ect.

[claudia]

Ditto on the welcome!

Sounds like whatever regime you're on isn't working very well. What are you doing meds wise?

Making a major lifestyle change is NO FUN but instead try a bunch of small changes one at a time. Try avoiding just one trigger for awhile and see if it helps (i.e. spicy foods). Then if you get some good results add on avoiding another trigger (i.e. hot beverages). Keep adding on possible triggers until you figure out what your particular triggers might be...it may not be as many as you think. Think of it as your own personal research project

You won't feel quite as deprived than if you tried avoiding everything at once!

Keep a journal about what you're trying and what works and what doesn't work for you. It's so individual. For instance many people can't exercise without bringing on a flare but I'm so lucky that this doesn't happen to me. My triggers are sugary and spicy foods, dairy, alcohol (...although I can tolerate an occasional white wine), and extreme emotional stress.

Hope this helps!

CV