Hi,
I’ve just been diagnosed with thickening of the nose after my rosacea being under control for 25 years. I don’t know where to begin with treatment options. I’m currently on a waiting list to see an NHS dermatologist but there is a one year backlog. What can I do in the meantime? I’m currently taken Doxycycline/ Metronidazole cream and Soolantra. I’ve cut out the major food triggers but despite all of the above I’m really struggling, particularly with my mental health.
in my experience with rosacea it’s really difficult to get a GP to prescribe outside of the general Azaleac acid, metronidazole, doxycycline. I’ve had positive experience with selenium sulphide (you can get it in shampoo and use it as a face wash or soap), I also got privately prescribed Low dose naltrexone (you need a letter from your gp confirming your condition) which I believe helps me, read up on it if you want to try it.
Ivermectin might help and has been found useful. Zinc pyrithione soap may also be helpful but difficult to get. I get mine from stressnomore.co.uk/medicine...
LDN source shop.dicksonchemist.co.uk/h...
I have a document from Buckinghamshire NHS that lists all the treatments but I don’t have the option to attach it here. I notice you are also of menopausal age like me. I also use Estrogen cream (for the vagina) on my face (derm may prescribe but not a gp as it’s off licence) as menopause causes a loss of estrogen in the skin that can exacerbate rosacea. You can buy that without a prescription if you answer questions
Thank you Kitcat x
I really appreciate your response and advice. I wonder if HRT might help if Estrogen is a causal factor? Have you had a mix of private and NHS treatment? It’s a year long wait to see an NHS dermatologist and I’m considering making an appointment with a private one although I wasn’t sure if that would affect my place on the NHS waiting list and treatment? It’s all a bit of a minefield! I’m already taking Doxycycline, Metronidazole and Soolantra. They just stopped working after a major flare and the development of skin thickening and burning on my nose. I know the dermatologist will probably suggest Roaccutane which I’m terrified of taking but will have to give it a try if it’s the only option available. I’m interested in trying laser therapy although I’m not sure that’s available on the NHS? I’ll look into Selenium Sulphide and Naltrexone. Thank you for your suggestions. Any more advice please keep it coming! One thing I have discovered that you might have already tried is antihistamines. They really help with the inflammation.
L xx
Hi Disco I have tried antihistamine the only one that worked for me was Benadryl allergy (acrivastine) of course the most expensive and not on the NHS. I didn’t end up going to a derm I have mine under control mostly. I do buy tretinoin from Mexico (don’t need a prescription) I don’t think roaccutane is probably any worse than the doxycycline. I never took the antibiotics as they made me retch constantly and my GP was very dismissive about it all like it’s no big deal. I’ve had rejuvenating laser, it clears the broken veins and thereby some redness but does not stop the condition as far as I know. The estrogen in your skin will not be replaced by HRT however that doesn’t mean HRT won’t help your condition. Skin looses estrogen which is responsible for collagen production and youthfulness, stopping breakouts - direct replacement on the skin is the only way to replace the hormone in the skin as far I understand. So get the cream or gel as part of treatment and don’t say it’s for your face! See the video links. Declining estrogen could be a causal factor, it does seem to be for me but you won’t know if it works for you without trying. Supplément wise I take magnesium , b vitamins and betaine HCL as I have low stomach acid (poor absorption of vitamins)
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LDN is anti-inflammatory with very little side effects so I take that daily. Really there’s not enough research about rosacea so definitely do your own investigation while waiting to see a derm. Good luck x
Thanks for all the info. Super helpful! 🌻
Ps, how do you buy Tretinoin from Mexico? Online or in person?!
I buy here - generic - mexmeds4you.com.mx/renova-c...
You’re welcome. Good luck I hope you find something that helps, I know how distressing it is - my experience with GP made me feel worse as he ignored the psychological effects / my feelings and he had more important “clinical” work to get getting on with. He was an awful doctor. Hence I’ve done my own research
I’m so sorry you experienced this. I also had an awful experience with an unsympathetic doctor. He literally scoffed out loud when I mentioned rhinophyma (whilst crying in distress). He said ‘you’re a long way from that’ and clearly didn’t have the first clue about rosacea. He was sitting miles away from me at the other end of the room wearing a mask and didn’t even attempt to look at my face more closely. He told me I could only talk about one medical condition per appointment and suggested we talk about my mental health even though the two are clearly connected. I’ve started doing my own research (thank goodness for the internet) and really appreciate your advice and support. Thank you.
Sounds as equally awful as my experience, particularly when both issues are connected and obviously are affecting you greatly. I’m really gutted that you were also in the receiving end of poor service. Hopefully the derm you eventually get to see will be much better.
Pps, your skin looks beautifully under control 🩷
It’s a little red on camera looks less so in person and I have had a recent flare on the side of my nose. I get bumpy pustules that itch
Hi Discobandit and welcome to the Changing Faces community! Thank you for your post and for sharing your experiences here. It sounds like you've been on a long journey with you skin condition and I'm sure that must have been challenging at times. It seems like you've got a new set of appointments, treatments and options coming up and understandably you might be worrying about it as you've mentioned struggling with your mental health.
Please know that there are options for support available and that you don't have to struggle alone with your thoughts and feelings. I would say that the first step to figuring out what emotional support might be available and helpful for you at this stage would be reaching out to your GP and talking about these struggles with them and they could discuss and explore the different options with you.
It’s great to see that you have already connected with some of our lovely members on here and that you are taking time to ask questions, share how you are feeling, and engage in supporting each other on this platform. Just to remind everyone to do their own research before trying new products/treatments as it can be a different experience and different outcomes to each individual based on their skin, history, etc. and sometimes it can be an uncertain process without a professional's guidance to give you further information about what to expect.
I hope you continue to find this a helpful and safe space to share your thoughts and connect with others that might have similar experiences to yours.
Take care,
Eva - ChangingFaces
Thank you Eva ♥️
So far this has been an invaluable source of information and support from people going through a similar experience. The diagnosis has been devastating for me. I was always told that this stage of the condition was extremely rare, only happened to men and only if the rosacea hadn’t been kept under control (which mine has been), and yet here I am. I wonder if you could answer a general question for me? Can you mix and match NHS and private dermatology assessments/ treatment plans? I’m on a very long waiting list to see an NHS dermatologist and am conscious that treatment for rhinophyma is more successful if it’s administered at the early stages of development. Could I see a private dermatologist without it affecting my NHS treatment?
Thank you xx
Unsymmetrical face in photos an possibly reality? 
Researching facial difference 
Anxious for DWP health assessment 
Rosacea most of my life
