Perimenopausal Rosecea

[Jopage123]

Hi everyone, I was looking for some advice....I have recently been diagnosed as perimenopausal and have been put on HRT patches. They don't agree with me so I am shortly changing to HRT tablets. However, the last 2 months at a particular time in the month, I have had bad flare up of rosecea. The doctors have prescribed general steroid creams that haven't helped so I paid for a private prescription from Boots for Mirvaso cream which I have started today. When my skin is really bad like this, it really affects my self confidence and my mood. I dread social engagements or going into work as I feel so self conscious. I do have an appointment booked for the dermatology clinic at the GP (I think it's a nurse that runs it that has an interest in dermatology) for next month but I would be really Interested to hear anyone that has experience with rosecea or rosecea in the menopause and I would love any recommendations on any products that have helped manage the condition or any hints and tips. I don't want to feel like this low again.

[Lucky747]

Hi, I have rosacea and have my whole life. My rosacea changed in the last year both from having COVID and perimenopausal changes. Unfortunately it is the age when developing rosacea will occur if susceptible.

Do you get more flushing or breakouts when you have a flare. An absolute thing not to use is steroids…ever….on rosacea skin. The skin will be okay while using but the rebound afterwards can be worse and long term use can cause topical steroid withdrawal. Stay away.

The Mirvaso I am assuming was given for flushing redness. Also, I would read extensively before you try this. Some people can use without incidence but many have had rebound redness after using that can be worse than ever.

Rosacea is multifactorial and what causes one person’s may not be another’s cause. As well, this is the same with products what works for one person may be completely incompatible for another. Such a hard and annoying condition.

I recommend you find a gentle face wash with a ph balance close to skin pH (5-5.5) so as not to strip our already compromised barrier. As well, you will want to find a basic no frills moisturizer that hydrates and keeps your barrier in tact. I am in Canada and I use Neutrogena ultra gentle creamy cleanser and Vanicream daily facial moisturizer. These may or may not work for you. I have combo skin and can get acne breakouts as well as rosacea redness and rosacea pustules/papules.

If you are on FB, some really excellent pages are rosacea rescue, rosacea tips and support, and rosacea relief. These are invaluable sources of information and others goign through the same.

The gold standard for treatment for rosacea right now is topical ivermectin if you lean towards more bumps, other RX products are azelaic acid and metronidazole cream. For flushing some are rx beta blockers and mirvaso like you have been.

Feel free to message me with any questions, been there and still there. ❤️

[Jopage123 in reply to Lucky747]

Thank you so much for replying. It's so nice of you to take some time out to offer me advice. I am new to this all......the only other time that I have had rosecea was when I was pregnant but since I've been on HRT, I have had flare ups. Sometimes it's just an odd patch of skin that becomes red and itchy but I've had 2 flare ups where the whole side of my face becomes red, swollen and then after a couple of days little spots appear too. During this flare up, my skins feels flushed, warm and a little itchy. The flare up normally lasts for a week to 10 days and then settles. It's a glorious day here today so I thought I would sit in the garden in the shade with a sun hat but my skin doesn't like it so I've had to come in. I am driving everyone mad in my house as I am constantly looking to see if it's getting worse of better. I am.also extremely self conscious of how I look during this flare ups and it really affects my mood and how I feel.about myself.

I do already use a gentle facial wash and moisturiser. I will give the Miravaso cream a go and I do have a appointment with a nurse dermatologist soon so I feel as if I am doing all the rights things but the roaecea is not calming down quickly enough!

I will become.members of the FB groups you mentioned. Thank you for those tips.

[Lucky747 in reply to Jopage123]

Happy to chime in and I hope I did not sound the bearer of doom and gloom. It is so hard the mental aspect of this, I get it and I helps to lean on others who understand. I drive my family a bit bonkers too asi have some restrictions so i do not flush, ie. keeping house cool, avoiding some trigger foods that cause flushing, etc. I rely a lot on the boards to feel connected as I do not know a ton of people with rosacea locally.

[Sudoko]

Hi I too have rosacea with spots, recently diagnosed and yes it's very hard at times. I feel just like you. For me I tried rozex cream which did not work, then azaelic acid which has improved things, more manageable. A cleansing wash cetaphil, followed by azaelic acid wait for 20 min then ultrasun tinted 30 then simple moisturiser. From what I have found out it, is finding something that suits you. Would be interested to know what the dermatologist advises. Good luck it is good to talk to others with the same condition. Keep strong, and keep us posted.

[Jopage123 in reply to Sudoko]

Thank you. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but it's good to know there are other people out there! During flare ups, I feel obsessed with my face....is it getting redder? Has it gone down? Am I winning? Am I back to square one? I don't feel as if I have really loved life the past few days X

[Sudoko]

I know its hard. Friends, family say they can't notice mine and I question if that's true, maybe I am good at covering it. I always think they are saying it to make me feel better. I have just been on holiday with family, and done everything normally which a month ago thought I would not be able too. Back home now and feeling OK, you will have highs and lows, think somehow this is how it will be. I used to love sitting in the sun. Now it is in a different way as in high spf, hat avoiding midday sunshine. I prob should have been doing that anyway. Anything that triggers yours that you have noticed. Take care, you will gain some confidence over time with support from either talking to others with the same condition, or your family and friends. Every good day is a day to remember. Hoping your new treatment will help. .

[MaveB]

Hi there,

I feel your pain! I believe all my own Rosaces problems started with the menopause (please read my bio for info)

I agree with everything Lucky747 has mentioned!

I have learnt to only use facial products that are fragrance and alcohol free, as both these have the potential to aggravate inflamed skin. Brands like Cetaphil and Cerave can be helpful as they have a range to cover all skin types and are not that expensive either. Also, shampoos without silicone or parabens and also fragrance free have helped. (Shampoo can run onto the face and aggravate inflammation.

In relation to the flushing, of which I had significant symptoms, have you tried tracking down any potential triggers, which can lead to changing things favourably. For example, I worked out that mine were: caffeine, giving this up dropped flushes considerably. Sun also is a trigger. So I stay in the shade, use factor 50 daily, and wear a brimmed hat in bright weather. This has also helped. Wine, which I only drink occasionally, sets off flushing too. Stress, flushing is my body's response to stress, and when in place, I run 'hot' for the period. I'm a natural internaliser, so don't shout or slam doors, I keep it all inside, a bit like the swan on water analogy, it's all going on beneath the suface! You may have different triggers of course.

You could also ask your doctor if he thinks you're suitable for 'soolantra' cream too. It's expensive, so GP's can be reluctant to prescribe it. But, it works on the demodex mites that live on our skin, believed to be overly active in Rosacea patients, and one possible underlying cause. I believe this is the brand name for the ivermectin cream Lucky747 refers to?

Good luck!

M

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