Health Forum

I recently went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with Rosacea. I have a pink tone to my skin and constant breakouts on my cheeks. I had my son two years ago and developed it during my pregnancy and it has never gone away. I have always been pink-ish toned but had very clear skin. The dermotologist's remedy was to relax and have less stress, try to be happier (though I did not tell him I was unhappy), drink less caffeine and lose weight (i still haven't lost the baby weight...ugh...another story). He said try these things and if they don't work about three months, he will prescribe an oral antibiotic and steroid topical cream. I have a two year old and work full time - this is just stressful.

Has anyone else had similar situation and how did you cope with it? What did you do to get rid of the breakouts? He mentioned MetroGel and minocycline as the medications he would prescribe. Anyone have luck with these?

Thanks.

Rosacea isn't easy to treat, but with a diligent effort and the right approach, you can reduce or eliminate rosacea symptoms such as redness, breakouts and uncomfortable burning skin. It's important to visit your doctor before trying to treat rosacea at home. This is because some permanent effects of rosacea such as rhinophyma can develop or worsen if left untreated. Also, severe cases of rosacea may need prescription topical and/or oral medications. Once you've been diagnosed with rosacea, you may find yourself looking for ways to get rid of the persistent redness and inflammation of your skin. Treating your skin well and avoiding irritation triggering foods and skin care products is the key to getting rosacea under control.




Step 1
Eliminate dietary, environmental and chemical irritants. Use a mild, high SPF sunscreen on your face everyday to protect it from sun damage. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods. Reduce or eliminate sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed foods from your diet. Always protect your face with a scarf or ski mask when going out in cold or windy conditions.

Step 2
Add more antioxidants to your diet. Recent research has shown that antioxidants such as vitamin C and E can greatly improve rosacea symptoms. To get the redness relieving benefits of antioxidants, add antioxidant rich foods such as oranges, dark red/purple berries and pineapple to your diet. Or you could take a supplement containing vitamin C and E daily. Antioxidant infused topical skin creams are also recommended for people suffering from rosacea.

Step 3
Modify your skin care regimen. Many cleansers, soaps, lotions and cosmetics can cause extreme irritation in the skin of those with rosacea. Use extra mild cleansers on your face and do not cleanse multiple times per day. Wash only with lukewarm water. Hot water can aggravate rosacea. Apply a hypo-allergenic calming moisturizer after you cleanse to reduce inflammation. Two of the best moisturizers for rosacea are Aveeno Ultra Calming Lotion and Avon's Liiv Botanicals Day Cream with SPF 30. They are both affordable and have great reviews from consumers who claim a huge reduction in rosacea redness and irritation. There are of course, other products that greatly improve the appearance of rosacea, but most can be very expensive.

Step 4
Change or eliminate your cosmetics. Unfortunately for women who struggle with rosacea, most cosmetics should be avoided. If you find that you have to wear makeup, throw out all of your ordinary makeup and switch to mineral makeup. Mineral makeup is free of oil, has no chemical additives and is recommended by the National Rosacea Society. For the best coverage results, choose a mineral foundation with slight yellow or green undertones to neutralize ruddiness. Pink or peach undertones will only make rosacea more noticeable.