I'm still unsure if I do have rosacea, Can you help?

[mcunit]

Hi all,

Boy am I relieved I found this forum. It's so hard to talk about this to others who dont have it because you know they are thinking "just cover it up with make up and get on with it". I wish it were that easy.

I still don't fully know if I do have rosacea, which is due to the whole everyone can react differently, but the similarities are very close. I'll tell my story and if you can add any feedback it all helps.

I started with a small red patch on my left cheek in Aug 09, I was 24 at the time. At the time by partners bike shop was being wrongfully accused as the hub of all the local bicycle theft in our area!! Absolute b****cks but the police were trying to give the residents and victims confidence they were doing something, even though it was the wrong thing. Anyway, this is why I think it started, the stress. The police investigation had runied the shops reputation and we were about to go bust.

The small red patch would not shift. It was not a spot, but more like a blemish around 1cm in diameter. Even this had me concerned as all through my teenage years and into my twenties my skin has been so clear and free from spots I made all my friends jealous. It has always been quite dry to touch though and I have very sensitive skin, even Simple products sting me sometimes!!! But looked perfect.

The patch began to get larger and another small one appeared on my right cheek just near the crease of my nose. By October my cheeks, forehead and chin were very red with small bumbs on, still not like spots, and very dry.

This is when I started looking online for symptoms and found Rosacea. I have always been a blusher, the slightest comment will make me bright red, even if I was not embarrassed. To the point where people comment, "look how red you've gone!" Thanks, thats going to help and not make me more red!!!

I've always been sporty also, all throughout school doing sport everyday with no facial problems, but I would go red if I was very knackered!! Since leaving school I'm still into my netball and play 3 times a week. I'm not sure if this makes it worse but I'm guessing it doesn't help as then it's the shower which does always make me redder and I even get heat spots on my chest and stomach (i don't even have the shower hot as I prefer cooler ones!!) There's not a chance I'm giving it up tho so I'm prepared to suffer this bit!

I went to my doctors in Nov 09 and he sat looking at me baffled!! He didn't even make any suggestions as to what it was until i said I thought it might be Rosacea. He said he had seen Rosacea before but it was very rare to have it in someone my age so he wasn't sure if that's what it was. I've since, through reading this forum, realised that age has nothing to do with it. Yes the averge age is 30-50 but it doesn't mean it never happens to anyone else!!

So he gave me a topical ointment called Acea Gel. I was to apply thinly twice a day. I did so for a month and absolutley zip happened. He told me to go back if I didn't see improvement but he had filled me with no hope so I wanted to try different things as antibiotics were the next option and I get worried about relying on them. Plus it would mean it messed up my pill!!

It's been pretty much the same since then but I think the red lumps have spread more. Some days they aren't lumpy just red like someone had taken a felt tip to me (like I did to my barbie when she had chickpox!!) Other days I get both. And always dry. I have yet to find a moistuiser that deals with the dryness and my sensitivity well. A beauty student friend suggested Dermalogica products (not sure if spelt correctly) but I've been reluctant to buy due to the price for it to be no good!

I also find I do get lots more spots now. Come up within an hour (usually after eating choclate )and are puss filled straight away (I know this is gross!) I then squeeze it and it pops out and its done, then it'll go within 2 days like it was never there. Whats that all about!

I'll stop now for feedback as this is mega.

Hope you can help.

MC x

[Mike T]

You are absolutely right in that Rosacea, by large, does not discriminate on the basis of age. However certain age brackets may be seen to over represent the Rosacea community.

I am not too sure about everyone else, but my papules from Rosacea are never pus-filled, rather more like red, lifted bits of skin.

I do get pus filled pustles, but this is when I have a serious negative reaction to a product.

Regards

Mike

[mcunit]

Sorry I didn't make that clear. The papules i have are red, lumps and not filled with anything. They don't overly itch but they are dry.

Some days there are no lumps but still red markings (the felt tip pen comment) and other days its lumpy but not so red.

I was commenting more on the occasional spots i get, as I have never really suffered with any form of acne, apart from occasional beasts that would appear before an event or a planned night out!!! Typically.

These spots come so quickly, pop out the puss which is hardish and then there's no sign after 2/3 days. I too think these are due to certain foods such as chocolate so I've decided to cut out dairy to see what the outcome is.

Has anyone tried an electro therapy facial? My beauty student friend needed models so I thought i would be a good case for her with having this skin condition. Also because I was i was looking for advice on moisturisers and cleansers etc, plus free feedback from her tutor!! Her tutor said she thought it was Rosacea but didn't really give me any advice accept Dermologica products (they sold them there!)

The facial was an experience, she was so worried she'd hurt me so it made me more nervous that she could!! But it wasn't painful at all. She had to turn it up until I felt a warm tingle and then worked it round my face with some other products. She then did it in reverse. I don't know how or what it was intending to do as I was talking too much, but the day after every lump on one side of my face had gone and the other side was nearly the same. The red had toned down and because she'd deeply moisturised me my skin felt great. I would love to try it again to see if it did help or it was just luckily that the next day was a good day!!

I'm also going to keep a diary of my eating habits and how my face is to see if i can spot any comparisons. I'm pretty bad at doing this but if I've got this for life I may as well try and sort it out now so it doesn't dampen me anymore. It's really starting to get me down, which I hate as I'm such an upbeat person.


MC

[CrabbyCathy]

Hello!

The Acea Gel is metronidazole. It doesn't work for everyone, but it does take longer than a month for results to be seen, in general.

Can you see another dermatologist? I can't believe he said it was "rare" for someone your age to have it. Yes, perhaps, but still! My best friend had it when she was in high school. Others here on the forum are teens. Anything is possible

When I get pustules, they are teeny and seem to be filled with liquid. And they itch like mad. Weird, eh?

Here is a link to common food triggers, in addition to other triggers. I myself cannot have dairy, cola, and sometimes spicy/citrus/vinegar.

http://www.rosacea.org/patients/materia ... sindex.php

http://www.rosaceafacts.com/Rosacea-Triggers

It sounds like you're in England, am I correct? Some members from across the vast sea (I'm in California ) use Cetaphil, or Olay Sensitive. I don't think Cerave is available over there.

re: the electrotherapy facial. Is it the one where you have to hold a damp sponge/connector while a galvanic current thingie is rolled over your face? My esthetician always did this for me, but I honestly think that I looked better because of the cleansing, masking, and deep hydration. Similar results are so hard to achieve at home, at least for me.

[mcunit]

Hi Cathy,

I am indeed over in the UK. I will go and see the doctor again and asked to be referred to a dermo as it may give me a little more confidence.

With regards to the gel, perhaps i should stick with it bit longer but as it made my face drier and I haven't found a good moisturiser yet I'm reluctant at the mo.

I've just squeezed one of those pustules, how annoying are they, but it's done now so will be gone in a day or so.

The elctro therapy thing, yes you're right, that is what I had. I agree it could've been because of the depp cleanse but made me feel good so why not. As she was doing it through college it was free too so can't complain.

She had advised me to get a moisturiser and toner that are classed as 'Active'. The only one I found, apart from Dermalogica, is Roc Hydra + Bio Moisturiser which has SPF15 so good for the sunscreen. I might give it a go. Have you heard of anyone trying it?

Regards,

MC

[CrabbyCathy]

Hello!

There's nothing wrong with getting a facial if the products used worked for your skin and your trust the person performing it! My esthetician moved, and I haven't gotten the courage to seek out someone new yet. I'm afraid of what might happen.

They also offer a cream version of the metronidazole, but I found it difficult to apply make-up over it; the formulations didn't meld very well.

What exactly does she mean by "Active"? Having active ingredients, such as retinol or peptides? The Dermalogica one has the word "active" in it's name, but only contains a lot of botanical ingredients......either can be problematic for rosacea skin, but it sounds like your skin liked the Dermalogica, which is nice.

I'll leave someone else to answer about the ROC, since it appears to be available only in the UK/Australia