Does inflammation cause redness?
Joined: 07 Feb 2008
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:52 am Post subject: Does inflammation cause redness? | |
| I was diagnosed with Rosacea yesterday after experiencing some redness/pinkishness and pauples/pustles for two months. For the past two weeks, my facial redness has gotten much worse and I'll flush incredibly whenever I get warm.
Is the redness/flushing caused by inflamed veins and capillaries? I'm taking Oracea in the mornings (doxycycline), Duac once a day (1% Clindamycin, 5% BP), and I'm washing twice a day with a generic version of Plexion Cleanser (sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%). If these products reduce inflammation, will that reduce the redness and flushing? |
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Joined: 30 Jan 2008
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Lauren,
Like you, I'm recently diagnosed and new here - and very far from being an expert on this! But from what I understand, our facial blood vessels are overly responsive, dilate more easily and stay dilated for longer than those of people without rosacea. This can weaken and damage them and they then let more blood flow through, increasing redness etc. - so it sounds like a bit of a vicious circle. I think I read that these vessels can release inflammatory substances that produce spots etc.? - but I'm not absolutely clear about that, sorry! I was put on doxycycline too, at 100mg a day - I don't think we have the low-dose oracea available in the UK yet, unfortunately. In fact I've just been told to stop taking the doxy because of side-effects. But my GP told me that it would reduce inflammation and that was why she was prescribing it, as I don't have p&ps yet. So it might help to clear up your redness - though it obviously doesn't stop flushing or get rid of broken capillaries. I have a friend who was put on a similar antiobiotic for her rosacea: she has a lot of spots, and the treatment helped her with those and with the general redness. But I've noticed that, unlike me, she doesn't have any visible capillaries, so maybe her vessels were less damaged than mine. Sorry - I'm rambling, and showing my lack of knowledge here! But I really hope you have good results and send you best wishes. Kristina |
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Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Netherlands
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Lauren,
Redness is usally caused by inflammation or irritation. How long have you been using the Duac? The redness can be caused by that. Does it contain benzoyl peroxide? This can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin. If I were you I wouldn't use it. Many people found it only aggravated their rosacea. The Plexion cleanser sounds pretty harsh too... I would cut down on those hars products to see if the redness subsides. If it doesn't it might be worth to try an antihistamine (claritin, zyrtec, available OTC) to bring down the redness. Good luck! Angela _________________ Currently on Finacea and doxy (50 mg) |
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Joined: 07 Feb 2008
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: | |
| The redness started two or so weeks before I started using these products. I used Duac for the second time last night, though, and it burned my skin. It's so red now! I'm cutting Duac out of the picture and am instead going to use 1% Clindamycin lotion instead to deal with the pandp's and take down inflammation in my veins and capillaries. The cleanser is supposed to be very anti-inflammatory, so I'll keep using it so long as it doesn't irritate my skin. | |
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Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Location: new york
| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Lauren,
I responded to your other thread but just to reiterate that seems like a good idea. The Duac gel is too harsh for our sensitive skin. The Oracea will take a bit of time to kick in but that should have some antiinflammatory benefit as well. Best wishes, Melissa |
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