Is this Lupus or Rosacea? (Photo)

[Rrr21]

Hi, I have had my face cheeks permanently inflamed for two years now. No pain, no redness, no dryness.. just inflammation on each side of the nose like on the picture. It looks like liquid inside but apparently it is inflammation. A dermatologist mentioned it may not be lupus based on a blood test but if it is rosacea it does not get red, just inflammed and sometimes some areas feel like hard inside, then they become soft but now are permanently inflamed. Any clue what it may be? I have been to dermatologists, gps, a surgeon, allergiologist and they dont know what it is or causing it

[Chris21]

My sister had rosacea, her face was never inflamed. It was red mainly on her cheeks but also sometimes on her forehead. I don’t know what could be causing your inflammation. I presume the consultants you’ve seen, one of them has done a scan? Has your lymph system been looked at? I wonder if the vessels are not draining properly. But it’s just a guess. Hope someone gives you a solution as why it’s happening.

[Rrr21 in reply to Chris21]

Thank you! Yes they did an MRI scan of my face and they didn’t find anything, just some thickened skin but fat pads and everything was fine and symmetrical. They also did a biopsy on the face and couldn’t find anything abnormal and same with blood tests. A dermatologist thought it could be Morbihan disease (a type of rosacea) but I dont think it is as the nose is completely fine. Is there a specific doctor that looks after the lymphs? Happy to have that checked if there is one. An ENT doctor told me the sinuses were fine so I can only think of inflammation caused by the gut or some kind of rosacea that caused inflammation and the fluid is still there stuck. I honestly don’t know, if you have any recommendations on best way to look at the lymph systems or vessels feel free to share. Thank you

[Paprika60]

They seem rosy or pinky to me. I have a mild rosacea colouring like yours but without inflammation. The pinky colour occurred years before I developed lupus. So please don't give up searching for the answer. Meanwhile, have you looked into doing lymphatic drainage on your face? You can do internet search and see what is involved. Also food allergy possibility? Hope you find an answer.

[Rrr21 in reply to Paprika60]

Thank you! That area does get slightly red sometimes but has no colour nor different texture, the inflammation seems to be underneath the skin. I went to have a lymphatic massage once but the lady said she thought it would not help. I only did one session. Were you referring to a lymphatic drainage massage or using some kind of cosmetic device? Happy to try any suggestions. I have tried to avoid gluten, eggs and dairy yet no difference so not sure what it may be. The latest test I received today showed blastocystis so the naturopath I am seeing thinks I have a leaky gut and asked me to take an antibiotic, so I will give it a try but so far I haven’t been successful with antibiotics, acne medications, prednisolone, etc. so I don’t have high expectations but I will definitely try it as it has been over two years now with the face inflammed. Thanks again for your suggestions

[Paprika60 in reply to Rrr21]

Hi, I can very well understand your frustration. I had to laugh when I read what your new naturopath came up with, that of Leaky gut. They all say that! This is not to put your naturopath down. I have met four in total, even had tests done in Harley Street clinic some 17 years ago and was given leaky gut diagnosis. I was put on gluten free diet with expensive supplements from US for months and months. Didn't work. Interesting that your naturopath asked you take an antibiotic. Worth a try. However, keeping food intake healthy, clean (no junk) and organic is important I think. I am now a vegan for multiple reasons. So I am not talking against your naturopath at all as every one of them is different. Some very good I am sure. It is a very long term thing. I just haven't met one that I really am impressed with. Regarding Lymphatic drainage, I was thinking that it could be helpful to try to learn and do it yourself daily. I do it every morning in bed as I wake up. One session with a therapist wouldn't help, especially if you have had it for some time. I would suggest doing some research on the internet how lymphatic drainage helps. Also, I would request second and third opinion from different specialist. There may be doctors who deal with facial inflammation specifically. Good luck and please don't give up!

ps my rosacea doesn't have different texture either.

[Rrr21 in reply to Paprika60]

Excellent answer and observation! Did you manage to get your rosacea under control by becoming vegan and doing lymphatic drainage exercises on a daily basis? I will google lymphatic drainage exercises as I can’t wait to get this finally under control and I feel these bumps will not go away just by reducing inflammation I feel like the skin is getting used to them and may require either massages on a regular basis, laser or some kind of additional pressure to get back to the original state. This naturopath asked me to do a stool test and results show I have blastocystis which is some kind of parasite. The results indicate I can get rid of it via antibiotic so she offered the natural option and this one, due to the fact my whole face is inflammed. Still gave me those american expensive gut powders and pills to protect the leaky gut though. I will try this antibiotic and see, although I am reading in some cases people don’t treat it so it might not be the trigger but I will still give it a try. So glad to hear you managed to have yours under control - I have seen several specialists and I am losing hope after more than two years. I’ll read more about lymphatic massage now. Thanks again

[lupie46]

Hi. I had rosacea for a couple of years and I have lupus. I've never had that kind of inflammation??

[Rrr21 in reply to lupie46]

Many thanks for sharing that with me! No one seems to know what is causing it unfortunately. A naturopath believes it may be related to the gut