Newbie question - is this rosacea please?
Joined: 27 Jan 2008
| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:10 am Post subject: Newbie question - is this rosacea please? | |
| Hi and thanks for your help firstly!
My symptoms started about two years ago (I'm 45 now), with continual face flushing - mainly on one side of my face. The doctor didn't know what it was, so I just tried to forget about it. Eventually, the redness/flush colour came to stay and now never leaves my face. Now I also get these bizarre itchy lumps that suddenly come up (like an insect bite) and then they turn into a spot which takes ages to go away. They can be almost anywhere on my face. I'm now getting broken capillaries and the redness is growing and getting more pronounced. Sometimes I have what is like a rash, going from the highly red blotch on the cheek, right down onto my lip. In fact, the rash seems to be staying rather than ever going now. 
I don't get pustules (yet?), so I wonder - if this is rosacea - what treatments I can get without seeing my doctor? Photo's (errghh...no make-up!!) here: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2r797jb&s=3 http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=29xamus&s=3 Thanks, I appreciate your help. xx |
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Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Netherlands
| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Gina, and welcome.
To answer your question, it might be rosacea but to be sure you need a diagnosis from a doctor or dermatologist. in my laymen's opinion... Your face looks like mine. I also used to get those bumps that itched from time to time, like you said, I first thought they were mosquito bites but I also got them in winter. They did take ages to go away, just like yours. My doctor first thought of eczema but steroid creams made things much worse. Judging from your photos I would advice you to start off with taking an antihistamine like Claritin or Zyrtec. you can get them at the drug store. They might work against itching and redness. Besides that I'd advice you to see a derm or your doctor and get some oral antibiotics, preferably Oracea (or low dose doxycycline). Is your skin very sensitive? Use a moisturizer for sensitive skin without alcohols, perfumes and as less preservatives as possible. Succesful for me is plain zinc ointment (10% zinc oxide in vaseline) against the redness, itchiness and flakiness (don't know if your skin flakes). Besides that I use Finacea (great for the bumps) and low dose doxy. It really helps me, my skin looks and feels great! Good luck! Angela _________________ Currently on Finacea and doxy (50 mg) |
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Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Jan 2007
Location: new york
| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: | |
| Hi Gina,
It does look like rosacea but since rosacea can coexist with other conditions it is best to be evaluated by a dermatologist. Many people have rosacea and seb derm or eczema and these need different treatments. Do you flush and burn to alcohol/spicy foods/heat? There are different types of rosacea as well. One is the erythematous type which consists mainly of flushing and burning and another is the p&p type. Of course many people have a combination of these two types. Anyway, protect your face with sunblock when going outside and use a gentle moisturizer and cleanser. Once diagnosed definitively you might want to be put on a low dose antibiotic for its anti-inflammatory effects Oracea (doxycycline) or Solodyn (minocycline). That should help clear your face of the papules (if that's what they are). Then there are topicals like Finacea and Metro(gel,cream,lotion). You will want to do a patch test on a small area with any new topical as rosaceans have very sensitive skin. It can be a bit overwhelming but don't worry. There are ways to manage your rosacea/seb derm/eczema etc. It just takes time to find what works optimally for you. Best of luck and welcome again! Best wishes, Melissa |
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