I'm desperate. Can we discuss Rosacea and it's possible causes?

[jazzharmony]

I am getting really frustrated with Rosacea and doctors just prescribing medication that doesn't work.

I have been putting rx Nizoral antifungal cream on my flare-ups for the past year and it doesn't work anymore. It probably made my condition worse as now I no longer have flare-ups and seem to be in a permanent state of painful rosacea.

I have tried various natural remedies to treat the symptoms but I really want to know the cause. I have read everything from mites on the skin to fungus to low acid in the stomach to allergies, being the cause of rosacea. Is there any way to get to the bottom of it without merely trying to treat the symptoms, which doesn't work for me anyway? Any theories to share?

If anyone has ideas for getting relief from the stinging/burning/itching on my face, that would be great too


ETA - I eat no dairy, meat or gluten.

[mom61508]

I know nothing about rosacea but maybe post in the allergy forum

[Mom2M]

I have rosacea and it stinks!

First, regarding the treatment, there are several kinds of creams/gels that can be Rx'd. What you are using may not work for you! I use metro gel and it works very well mostly. The derm. gave me samples of a new cream to try and it was awful, burning and stinging and redness.

In my personal experience...

Cutting out dairy seems to make a huge difference! I found out accidentally because DD is sensitive to it in my milk. I did not cut out all hidden dairy, just the obvious stuff like cheese, milk, butter, etc...

Hormonal changes definitely affect the severity for me. Not much you can really do but maybe keep track and see if there is a pattern and if there is maybe an herbal remedy for stabilizing your hormones?

Never use soap on your face. I only wash my face with water now, never soap and I do not use anything except the metro gel and cetaphil moisturizer. Experiment and see what works for you as far as moisturizer or sunblock.
I saw a big difference after cutting out soap, not even the sensitive skin/all natural/special rosacea handmade soap worked and I tried a lot of them!

I think many things contribute to rosacea so it's hard to pinpoint an exact cause. One thing I read and always follow is from a forum that had people talking about rosacea. I can't remember the name of the forum but here is what she said.

If a treatment is making it feel worse, stop the treatment. if you are getting burning from that cream, don't use it anymore, ask your dr to try something different.

Oh yeah, one more thing...I found that a calendula infusion helped soothe my skin when it was very sore.

I hope that helped some, I know how painful and embarrassing it can be.

[kl5]

I had what I thought was rosacea (but which the dermatologist I saw thought was probably eczema) for years. Sensitive, hot face, hated seeing pictures of myself because all I saw was red. It all got better when I cut gluten out of my diet (for digestive reasons). I am healthier on so many levels after that, but a really nice side benefit was losing the red face. I would say my cheeks are still rosy, but I don't look perpetually sunburned any more! Definitely consider diet changes, especially if your digestion is less than optimal.

[jazzharmony]

Thanks, everyone

FWIW, I eat no dairy, meat or gluten.

I also think I may have sebhorreic dermatitis along with the rosacea.

We went swimming in a friend's pool yesterday and the chlorine seemed to have helped, of all things.