Rosacea

[wishbone]

My rosacea has gradually got worse over the approx 2 years that I've had it. Not sure what type I have but it definitely ain't a mild form. ie... painful weeping pustules, spots, lumps and bumps over face, scalp, body and even in my ears, and they take ages to heal. Thankfully the latter are only small spots. I've been to dermatology and tried a couple of different types of topical cream. I'm currently using Ivermectin cream and Ketopine shampoo, which does help a bit but hasn't stopped some nasty flares, one of which has only recently started to calm down. Dermatology wanted to prescribe long term oral antibiotics, which I refused to have because of my problems with resistance. I'm even reluctant to use a topical antibiotic cream they gave me to try, as the dermatologist did say that this could add to my resistance issues after 3 - 4 months use.

I'm aware that rosacea is not uncommon with people who have auto immune diseases. So on the slim chance that someone here might be able to suggest something that helps with this condition?..as it is pretty dire on times and certainly does my rugged good looks no favours!

[medway-lady]

Sun screen, helps my husband he uses Clinique factor 50 and plays a lot of golf using it The new cream he now has also works well but he has definitely no autoimmune diseases.

[wishbone in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks medway-lady,

I use a high factor sun blocker but it can be quite painful to apply when I'm flaring. I'm not a hat person, but will wear a long peaked baseball cap and sun glasses when I don't have any sun blocker on.

[Riedenise]

After trial and error, after using the antibiotic lotion I Have found the Body shop Vitamin E creams, face wash, eye creams, face wipes absolutely brilliant. I don't use anything else! I haven't touch wood had any problems with my Rosecea, no spots, pustules etc. I use factor 50 suncream with vitamin E added. I occasionally get the red flushing but also I'm going through the menapause too , so could be down to either.

I've also had to change all my makeup, which again has been very costly. Why don't the manufacturer s make test pots? Money, I know! I have used max factor for donkeys years and had to give up. I now use Boots no7 and find that suits me and doesn't cause me flare ups. I have had to give up mascara completely as it really irritates my eyes, I have secondary Sjogrens. I've tried several different brands even the body shops, but nothing is wearable for me.

I hope you find things that work for you x Rie

[wishbone in reply to Riedenise]

Forgot to say that I already use a face/body wash. It's called Dermol 500 lotion, which according to what it says on the tin, is an antimicrobial emolliant whatever that is(?). Anyway, dermatology told me to wash and shower with it. I'll definitely give the eye cream and face wipes a go. No problem with make up - I stopped using the stuff when I was 6 years of age and my mother told me in no uncertain terms that I was a little boy and must not put it on again! People weren't so liberal minded back then were they.

Thanks Rie, much appreciated.

[Riedenise in reply to wishbone]

Hahaha, love your humour. Let me know how you get on.

[Jules13]

I heard MSM and Boswellia are both good for rosacea x

[wishbone in reply to Jules13]

No reported side effects with Boswellia, plus it's claimed to be an anti inflammatory, as is MSM, so think I'll give Boswellia a go in tablet form.

Thanks Jules

[cheshcat]

When mine got really bad I had to stop using most products. No makeup and I ended up using either coconut oil or tea tree and that's it. I use sunscreen everyday (even on cloudy days) and stay out of the sun. For my head I go back and forth between Nizerol and a special bacterial shampoo I get from Amazon. I still wear almost no makeup, usually. Occasionally I'll put on mascara but not everyday. Usually I just put on a little powder. It's cleared up amazingly well, all things considered. Good luck to get your under control!

[wishbone in reply to cheshcat]

Thanks cheshcat, I wouldn't mind trying Nizerol, but I do get a bit concerned about using two different types of cream, shampoo, etc together. Do you think it will be ok to use it with the Ketopine that dermatology prescribed? I don't mean using the two during one hair wash, but on alternate hair wash days as you do with the Amazon stuff?

[cheshcat in reply to wishbone]

Nizerol is 1% versus the 2% you are using. I personally like the 1% better.

I have a liquid cortisone that I can apply to my scalp as needed from my dermatologist, I would ask for that (it's prescription only). I try to use it only when it's really bad.

Switching back and forth was my dermatologists suggestion. I've had folliculitis (bacterial and fungal. Sigh). So that's why I use the stuff from Amazon along with the Nizerol. I figure I'm covering my bases to keep everything at bay. I use: ANTI-b Antibacterial Shampoo from Amazon.

Finding what works with your skin is vital but really I've found the best "medicine" is nothing! Seriously, the less I use on my skin, the better it is. The more I try to "treat" it, the worse it gets. I try to keep it all minimal.

[wishbone in reply to cheshcat]

When I first went to dermatology, approx a year or so ago, I was told that along with rosacea they also thought I had foliculitis but didn't seem too confident about it. They also prescribed a cortisone cream to apply to my face but it seemed to make things worse so was stopped. During my most recent visit I asked if the spots etc in my head, back and upper chest was rosacea or foliculitis, and was told that it was rosacea related.

I recently chanced upon a TV programme about an unfortunate young bloke who had a very nasty type of foliculitis on his scalp, which I can't help thinking looked like a very bad case of what I have.

I would ask about the cortizone cream that you use but I don't think dermatology want to see me again, at least that's the impression I get. It seems as if they've done all they can for me, with the exception of taking long term antibiotics that is, which as previously mentioned I am reluctant to do. Apparently they've wrote to my GP saying what type of antibiotic I should have if I change my mind. Seems like your dermatologist has been a bit more helpful than mine.

Once you've stopped flaring, do you stop producing spots etc? My skin calms down and stops producing the bigger nastier spots and pustules (some of the bigger ones never clear up entirely) but carries on producing smaller spots. It's never very long before I start to flare again...a week or so at the most, so unlike you I'm constantly using the prescribed creams and shampoo. My most recent flare is the worst I've yet had. Thankfully it has calmed down a lot this past week. If it subsides a bit more then I don't think I have much to lose by stopping the treatment completely as you do and see what happens. With any luck things might improve...................

[Jules13 in reply to cheshcat]

I found coconut oil great for a while and then got red blotchy skin from that. I now use all Charlotte Tilbury products. Gorgeous with lovely natural flower extracts but not cheap!!