The red swollen nose of rosacea is a much hated symptom. I know that this was the symptom that I despised most and indeed drove me 10 years ago to start to look for good information about how to treat rosacea. Incidentally, this drive lead to the creation of the internet based Rosacea Support Group in 1998.
I hated that I looked like I had adult acne and a constant sun-burned nose. Especially as I have somewhat fair skin, a red nose stood out a mile away.
There has been quite a lot of interest in a article I wrote titled “how to cure a red face (facial erythema or redness)“. That article gave some tips on how to deal with general facial redness. What about a red and swollen nose ? What can you do to treat a red rosacea nose ? Read on for some suggestions.
A rosacea nose has the extra complication that one might end up suffering from rhinophyma. Although rare, rhinophyma is also a much hated symptom of rosacea. While we don’t know for sure how any particular rosacea sufferer’s symptoms will progress, reducing your inflammation and flushing is a good start to winning the battle.
Here are my top tips for dealing with the red nose of rosacea.
Rosacea-LTD III
Rosacea-LTD was one of my first discoveries after starting to look for treatments on the internet in 1998. They consist of compressed disks of sulfur and various salts. You wet your face and glide them over the skin, leaving a thin film. For me these `disks’ did a great job of reducing the papules and pustules on my nose. I could feel them shrinking all those acne looking lumps and bumps. As much of my redness was associated with my papules and pustules, this treatment was a good step in the right direction. I continued to use rosacea-ltd for several years.
Disclaimer: rosacea-ltd is a site sponsor of rosacea-support.org
Oral Antibiotics
If the nasal swelling is associated with the papules and pustules normally seen in rosacea, then systemic antibiotics along with topical metrogel or finacea may also be of benefit. Once the papules and pustules are under control, the associated swelling may be reduced enough to see an overall benefit in appearance. One of the newer antibiotics on the market is a low dose form of doxycycline called Oracea, which may be useful in helping to maintain a long term benefit from antibiotic usage.
Accutane
Accutane or roaccutane has been used for many years to treat cystic acne. There is a good body of evidence to say that you can successfully treat rosacea with accutane. Additionally there are some published papers that deal specifically with treating rhinophyma with accutane.
Isotretinoin has also been demonstrated to decrease nasal volume in rhinophyma. The most significant regression has been noted in younger patients with less advanced disease.
…
Isotretinoin has also been demonstrated to decrease nasal volume in rhinophyma. The most significant regression has been noted in younger patients with less advanced disease.
Biopsy specimens from phymatous skin prior to isotretinoin therapy showed numerous large sebaceous glands. During isotretinoin therapy, the glands diminished in size and number. Other studies have confirmed the usefulness of isotretinoin for phymatous change.
Accutane is not a drug to be taken lightly. If you would like to try this as an option, the above references might help you find a doctor that can support you using this as a treatment option. You may also want to discuss the option of low-dose accutane with your doctor.
Covering Up
As you start to reduce the inflammation, you will probably also benefit from covering over some of the redness. Some options include the easily available Clinique Redness Solutions, or Eucerin Redness Relief which may be able to offer some relief from the redness. Additionally the green tinted version of the Tone Perfecting Cream may cover some redness.
Perhaps you can find some foundation or tinted moisturizer that you can also include in your daily regime. It might not be easily obtainable worldwide, but The Cancer Council in Australia has a range of tinted moisturiser SPF 25 that looks interesting. Don’t discount a liquid foundation as a possibility, even if you are a guy.
IPL and Lasers
We now know that IPL is excellent for treating a red face and broken blood vessels. Will any of the benefits of IPL also help a red swollen nose ? In general IPL and pulsed dye lasers are useful in reducing the redness flushing, burning, itching, dryness and swelling of rosacea.
The AAD suggests that for thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks as seen in rhinophyma, the CO2 laser and erbium:YAG laser can be used.
Surgical Options
When the growth of the nose tissue becomes impossible to manage with topicals or isotretinion, surgical intervention can be an option. Surgery can naturally have its own risks. With the removal of extra tissue also comes the risk of scarring.
CO2 Laser
A 2004 paper; The Gold Standard for Decortication of Rhinophyma: Combined Erbium-YAG/CO2 Laser, details how the authors suggest that the combined YAG/CO2 laser is superior to other lasers, scalpel, radiotherapy and skin grafts in dealing with rhinophyma.
Also some related comments from the AAD page Is laser treatment right for your rosacea? ;
Some patients with longstanding rosacea develop thickening skin on the nose and cheeks, which is called rhinophyma. The CO2 laser and erbium:YAG laser can be used to remove this thickening skin and improve the contour of the nose. Other surgical procedures used to treat this condition include dermabrasion and excision with a scalpel. Treatment options may be combined to obtain best results.
Dermatologists recommend early treatment of rhinophyma to help prevent the condition from progressing and becoming more difficult to treat. In the advanced stages, rhinophyma can cause difficulty breathing through the nose. It also is possible for the nostrils to collapse.
Other Surgical Methods
A 2003 paper; New surgical adjuncts in the treatment of rhinophyma: the microdebrider and FloSeal details a novel technique using a standard microdebrider followed by a haemostatic sealant to eliminate bleeding.
Now Over to You
What have you found to be useful in your battles with a red nose ? Please help your fellow rosacea sufferers by leaving a comment below.
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46 comments ↓
Three years ago, at age 55, I was diagnosed with mild to moderate P&P rosacea on my nose. I’ve been prescribed with various antibiotics in conjunction with topicals (Metrogel .1% and Tazorac). Generally, each of the antibiotics that I was taking lost its effectiveness within 3 to 6 months. It resulted in immediate flare-ups until I was prescribed a different antibiotic.
Nine weeks ago I bought the hand-held, Omnilux Clear-U (http://www.phototherapeutics.com/clear-u/) and have been very pleased with the results. Omnilux recommends a course of 2×20 minute treatments per week for 4 weeks of alternating blue and red light. For normal acne, this treatment should be effective for 6 months. Omnilux states that the light doesn’t damage the skin and therefore, there’s no limit to the amount of treatments one can have. Therefore, my intent is to continue weekly treatments indefinately. There hasn’t been any studies, yet, to determine if LED therapy loses its effectiveness if used consistently over long periods of time.
I’ve stopped taking antibiotics 3 weeks ago and, so far, no flare-ups. My nose hasn’t looked this good for quite awhile. This blue/red LED light therapy seems to be a very effective way to control P&P.
The only downside to this unit is that it costs approximately $300 and that the LED flat panel is rather small, so it only treats areas within its physical area. Omnilux informed me that its only effective when held against the skin and up to one half inch above the skin.
thank you for the article Digital Davo
is there a way i can contact you through messages? i don’t want to explain everything in this message until i can contact you properly but i suffer from this, im 15 and i need some of your help.
Hi Jeff,
I’m not keen to exchange too much information in personal email for 2 main reasons. Firstly I’m not a doctor so I can’t offer personal or medical advice.
Secondly; if and when people discuss their thoughts, problems, solutions etc. on a board the threads remain for others to learn from at a later time.
As well as the blog here there is also an email group: Rosacea Support Group and several online forums such as Rosacea Support Community.
This requires you to understand all of the privacy implications of going online of course.
davidp.
alright thats fine
im wondering which would you recommend more, the laser or rosacea LTD?
since you used it for 7 years or however many years has it shown very good improvement? how are you doing with it??
I did have pulse dye laser twice many years ago, but never recommend it as a cure because it only helped my symptoms about 10% I reckon.
I kept using rosacea-ltd for several years because it continued to keep the papules and pustules at bay. After a few years I found that I no longer needed them.
hope that helps ?
davidp.
Hi Davidp.
You mentioned that you no longer needed to use rosacea-ltd after a few years. Is that because your p&p eventually disappeared?
I bought rosacea-ltd, but never used it because its instructions called for stopping all topical medications and drinking water almost every hour. Did you follow these these instructions or just simply applied the disks?
Do you know if one can eventually “outgrow” rosacea?
Thanks!
- Marty
Hi Marty,
My papules and pustules did slowly subside after all the bits and pieces of treatment started to work. I don’t recall drinking that much water at the time. The disks do make it hard to use other topicals, especially if you are using jojoba oil and applying the disks to wet skin.
I’m not a real believer in outgrowing rosacea – if your rosacea is related to flushing or hormones, sun exposure without sunscreen for etc. then if your exposure to your triggers wanes or your life changes then your rosacea can appear to go away. I have more belief in this sort of reason that symptoms wax and wane – rather than just outgrowing rosacea.
davidp.
I appreciate this exchange of information and this is my first comment. I have had mild rosacea for 10 years and now have rhinophyma. I have tried all of the normal stuff, except for accutane. I have had phenomenal success in the last three weeks with twice daily Face Dr Rejuvenating Soap and “green” light treatment. I started this because I have a cancer on my nose and after the biopsy the dermatologist ‘burned” the area to stop the bleeding. I have used green light for years on burns (quickly relieves pain and speeds healing). My nose cleared up completely within two days, the burn healed in one week and I have not had any papules, pustules or redness. YES, I am also surprised. You can try this easily as the soap is readily available (i.e., Drug Emporium) and a green light bulb can be purchased at Walmart, labeled “party bulb”. Good luck, Joe
By the way, I used some spray on Coppertone yeaterday and I had a slightly red bumpy nose until I retreated. Need to find some sunblock that doesn’t irritate my newly smooth skin.
Hey Joe, My nose is pretty bad right now, I’d like to try what your doing. The green light can be found in what dept.? And how do you use this light? IE: how often, how long is the treatment, how close to your skin, etc.?? I’d appreciate your input…
Thnx, Steve B
Steve – I bought a regular light bulb that is tinted green, it was labeled a “party light” in the same section as the regular light bulbs. I put the green light bulb in a fixture that allows me to hold it within 6 inches of my face for 5-10 minutes (the Dr who told me about the green light said to use the light for as long as it feels good – I have never used it longer than ten minutes). I always do the green light after using the Face Doctor ‘Rejuvenating Soap’ (~ $20 a bar, but it lasts 2-3 months used per the directions on the package). Let us know how it works for you.
I would suggest trying out the wonderful products at Skin Actives as an option. Their rosacea control serum certainly worked for me, compared to the prescription topicals usually suggested. For cleansing, the sea kelp bioferment is a great alternative to traditional cleansers. They also have about the only suncreen I don’t react to.
Many rosacea ‘suffers’ mix up their own custom formulas too.
Thanks for an excellent web site resource.
Hello Everyone,
I don’t have rosacea but found this website trying to remedy redness on my nose. I work in a tire manufacturing plant, which is a very dirty environment, very dusty. We use an elaborate dust collecting system, but carbon remains in the air. I find myself wiping my nose often, upon feeling I’ve inhaled it. What happens then? Breakouts on and around my nose. Currently my nose is red on the tip, with several pimples there as well. I know it will clear up eventually, but I can relate to the embarrassment of being in public with a Rudolph nose. It sucks. I just want you to know you are not alone, as this forum suggests, and to not lose hope! It pains me to read the outpouring of hurting hearts here, and I wish there was something I could do for you. So, it may seem like nothing, it may offend some, but I will be praying for you all.
My God is a strong tower, a place of refuge. He will never leave you or forsake you. Put your trust in him, and he will not disappoint you.
I know those of you reading this have a lot to offer the world. Don’t deny the world your giftings, talents, and abilities. Look for opportunities to share what you’ve learned through your ordeals and watch the difference you can make! BTW, I’ve noticed when I stop thinking about myself so much, I end up feeling much better about myself. When I look to others and focus on them, I get a satisfaction I can’t find anywhere else. Be encouraged and be encouraging!
hye,
I would like to know, how can we know if we have rhinophyma? I have a lot of broken capillarity on my nose and my cheek. I will have a pdl in september but recently, my skin texture changed. The size of my pore became huge on my cheek and on my nose and a lot of wrinkles appeared. My skin became very oily. I don’t have any swollen, it’s more like if my skin lost its elasticity because of the pemanent redness … (like the skin of an old person who would have had too much sun exposure)
But now, I wonder if it can be a beginning of a rinophyna. Is it because we have large pores and alot of blackhead that we have a phytomatous rosacea?
thanks
Hi
Could you please let me have the address of the Rosacea support group for a friend who has no e-mailing facilities?
Thank you
Jennifer Thompson
Hi Jennifer,
I don’t know of any such groups. I have looked in that past, but I believe that the only active and functioning rosacea support groups are online.
davidp.
I have a red face.I went to the doctor and he done lazer.It worked and got rid of some reddness.However after geting it done i could not go anywhere for a week because Marks appeared on my skin then disapppeared after a week.I heard that IPL is better than lazer as it leaves no marks that need to be healed and also does a larger surface area of your face.Is that true and do you think its better?
Hi Tommy,
IPL can have less downtime, as can other more gentle forms of laser like V-beam. As to whether IPL is generally considered better than laser, that is a difficult question to answer categorically. If you find a good IPL doctor then I think you can expect good results for your rosacea.
You might find the Laser & IPL Forum helpful.
davidp.
Hello, friends:
I am frustrated about this rosacea condition. I had it diagnosed this year on January and I have been through different medical treatments with no significant improvement. I am a 40 years old female. I have the papulopustular subtype of rosacea. I have had even deep scars because before I used the oral doxycicline, some abscesses came out producing very visible scars. I have been two times using doxycicline 200 mg twice a day for 1 month with significant improvement (no papules or pustules) but still redness. Two weeks after I finish the 1 month course of oral doxycicline, the papules and pustules come back. A physician told me that I should not use doxycycline for more than 1 month because it could cause liver problems on the long run.
Now I am using oral prednisone 2.5 mg twice a day, topical clindamycin 1 % gel twice a day, and evening primrose oil capsules 1300 mg taken orally twice a day, with some control but still not good enough. I still keep getting the so bothersome papules and pustules (not the abscesses) which leave small scars. And they appear in different places in the cheeks and chin. I have been like 7 months trying all kinds of antibiotics (Metronidazole gel , clindamycin gel) and prednisone with no satisfactory improvement. I do not hate the redness, but I hate the pustules and papules.
I want to know if somebody has had a naturopathic or medical treatment that has kept the papulopustular rosacea under control with no or minimal symptoms for short or long time. Or if somebody has discovered a miraculous home remedy to avoid the pustules or papules coming out again for a considerable time or to make them disappear quick. Please let me know by posting at this website and/or by emailing to my email address sheila092001@yahoo.com. I will be eternally grateful if you could help me with my rosacea problem, please.
Sheila,
I was told by a cupuncturist that Rosacia can result from Candida overgrowth. Candida is in everyones intestines but can leave the intestine and grow in your body in excess. Candida feeds off of sugar. Not just regular sugar but foods that turn into sugar in the body. Some are white flour,fruits, potatoes,juices ,ect…Wheat is something to avoid,chocolate,soda’s. especially coke,diet coke,pepsi.,too much caffein,alcohol,oranges,trans fats,too much grains,.
What I did Sheila is go to your local heath food store and ask the workers there for info. on your situation,they should help you with advice. Online look up Candida overgrowth on different homeopathic sites so that you can educate yourself. I take Nicomide(a natural supplement from dermatologist but I refuse to take an antibiotic for this because I believe taking them for acne 5 years ago for a long period of time reulted in candida overgrowth. The antibiotic killed most of my good bacteria . I nw take a refridgerated probiotic everymorning a half an hour before I eat to put the good flora back into my intestines. Educate yourself on this manner Sheila. Healthy eating habits with help your body heal, lots of filtered water, and exercise three times a week doing something you enjoy. The best to everyone! Anne
hi i am a 15 yr old girl frm asia…..n i have acne rosacea on my nose………the face n cheeks have cleared bt i find it difficult to deal with the nose
Another option for people to try is Vitamin A tablets, which seem to be working very well for me. I am still on doxycycline, but doxy and rosex alone were not enough to control my symptoms. The reason I decided to experiment with vitamins was 1. frustration and 2. that I read that Accutane/Roaccutane can be helpful for rosacea and from what I understand it is a purified form of vitamin A. Since taking the vitamins, there has been a dramatic reduction in pimples and my skin feels much smoother. I have even stopped using rosex which was causing my skin to flake uncontrollably. The supplements I use contain 1500UI and it says on the bottle the recommended daily dose of vitamin A from all sources is 2500UI. I guess you just need to be careful not to overdose. Interested to know if anyone else has had success with vitamin supplements.
Hi Dave,
) but I might have a bit worse rosacea, because I think you wrote somewhere it is one of your worst photos, and for me this is rather normal condition and I think my skin is already thickened a bit. On top of it when it flares-up in cold or when i touch it, then its all intense RED, really, I sometimes look like a clown 
.
as I look at your photo, then I think it could be mine, because I have very similiar condition on my nose (and a similar nose shape and brown eyes
A question. Did you find laser treatments you made effective for redness/flare-ups?
Thanks,
Marcin
Hi Marcin,
not personally no. I haven’t ever had IPL, but did have a few rounds of Pulse Dye Laser that caused severe purpura but the rosacea returned even before the skin had healed fully. PDL and IPL have progressed as rosacea treatments since my treatments many years ago, so my less than spectacular success might not be indicative.
If you are able to find a laser/ipl doctor with experience treating rosacea you should expect to get some relief from your flareups.
davidp.
Hi Dave,
I am a female in my early 30′s. I started having phymatous rosacea on my nose last May and was on Oracea for almost 6 months until I experienced some serious side effects and had to quit. My nose is now swollen again and I was wondering if there are other options other than antibiotics or lasers? Do you still have rhinophyma? We have heard that P & P can go into remission, do you know if anyone with Rhinophyma went into remission? Does that light bulb thing really worked? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
I had IPL treatment and it took away some of the visible capillaries on the sides of my nose.
I also had Rhinoplasty, and as it reduced the size of my nose bridge, it did nothing for the tip of my nose.
The surgeon has now given me an estimate for more surgery to correct the extra skin on the tip of my nose.
It will cost an additional $2800.00. I am disappointed that this was not corrected with the initial surgery – I thought this was going to be fixed – that is, I thought the tip of my nose would have been reduced. Now I feel like my bridge is small and the tip of my nose is light a bulb!
Very disappointing, to say the least.
Nancy, i don’t know. Your surgeon needs to give you a deal because who needs a surgery that didn’t work then another one? Wasn’t the tip of the nose the whole point? wierd that he thinks it’s okay to charge you again…
I’ve used face doctor soap and a combination borax and hydrogen peroxide solution to calm my rosacea,in addition to oral antibiotics. My recipe is one tablespoon each of borax(yes the detergent) and H2O2 and two tablespoons water. Sometimes i’ll leave it on all day or all night. Change mixture every two or three days. I also will make a bentonite mask with a few drops tea tree oil and use that. I let it dry and rinse off. I’m about to start finacea tonight. I started zinc and cod liver oil recently with some improvement. Just read about milk of magnesia and plan to try that. I much prefer natural treatments or at least non-pharmecuticals. The nose is definitely my trouble spot…I hope everyone feels better soon.
Hi David,
I just ordered the Rosacea-Ltd discs and will try them out this week. I am currently using Metrogel. Did you use Metrogel before switching to the discs? I’m just trying to figure out if I should just stop “cold-turkey” and switch to the discs or if I should maybe start with the discs on a spot like my forehead and continue with the Metrogel on my nose & cheeks. (as a test to see if the discs work with my skin)
Also, did you use the Rosacea-Ltd discs on your cheeks and forehead as well as your nose?
Thanks!
Hi Jordan,
I was on Metrogel when I first started the disks, but wasn’t that happy with how well it worked so tried rosacea-ltd instead. I only had papules and pustules on my nose so that was where I used them. You can use them on your cheeks and forehead no problem.
davidp.
I’m pretty sure I have rosacea. I started experiencing the red swollen bumps about 2 years ago (I’m 27 now). I noticed them after moving from New York, to San Diego where it is a lot sunnier. I stopped drinking alcohol for about 2 months for I thought that was the problem, but it made no difference. A friend of mine suggested I wear sunscreen ALL the time, and that made all the difference. I use SPF 50 on my nose every day and it keeps everything under control. I think I may stop drinking coffee to see if that helps anything too. But I would try using sunscreen any time you leave the house.
I am thirty-two years old and was recently diagnosed with rosacea, although I am certain I’ve had it for years. It has progressed to the point that I CONSTANTLY have “Rudolph nose.” It is a source of constant frustration and disappointment for me, especially since I have an identical twin who does not suffer from this and has gorgeous skin! My dermatologist prescribed the Oracea and Metrogel, which I’ve been using for the past couple weeks with mild results. I also use the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser w/feverfew and a moisturizer w/sunscreen and that has reduced some of the redness and swelling in my cheeks.
I’ve read a lot online about treatments, but not much about triggers and how to identify them. Any advice would be appreciated.
I’m also looking for a good make-up to assist in covering it up, and would like others’ thoughts before I waste a lot of money. I’m currently investigating Clinique, but am open to other brands.
Thanks for the help!
The Clinique works well for me but is REALLY expensive.
Eucerin has a Redness Relief cream that is tinted light green and when you spread that lightly over the red areas as a base, you may be able to use other regular products for the rest of your makeup.
Very interesting and moving posts…this is my first visit here and have already added it to my “favorites”. I have a slightly complicated problem in that I have been diagnosed with a mildly deviated septum and I also started experiencing more severe symptoms of rosacea in the past couple of years…I’m currently 52. My main complaint is that not only does my nose always feel dry and itchy, but it is also red constantly…thankfully it (and my cheeks) is not “broken out” as it was during the winter months. I have tried dealing with the dryness problem using Ponaris oil and sometimes an OTC gel, but these are extremely limited in their relief durations, and need to be applied religiously throughout the day. I’ve also used Vaseline with about the same results. (I’m also considering getting a can of Bag Balm). For the rosasea I was on an anti-biotic for a couple of months but that didn’t seem to make any difference to reducing the ever present “Rudolf Syndrome”. For the past three 1/2 months I’ve tried the Zenmed system, but don’t really get any further improvement with that either. At this point, I’m considering another visit to both my dermatologist and ENT…not necessarily in that order. The way I look at is that this is probably going to be something that I’ll have to deal with for the remainder of my life, but it would be nice to achieve a higher level of control over the symptoms.
Nothing helps my poor nose but lately I’ve been using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda on my face. Someone, somewhere I read, said it worked fabulously for her so I tried it. Why not? It’s so cheap and easy. This combo works great on my cheeks. I think I’m going to try the green light on the nose. I already have a full spectrum bulb that I bought for other family members who have sleep problems. You’re supposed to use it for about half an hour in the morning to reset your “internal clock” and ward off depression. I know I’m off on a tangent… Anyway I think I looked for a green bulb and couldn’t find one. So I’m going to try the full spectrum one. Bought it at Lowe’s. It’s also halogen… I’ve had an infection in my nose since october and most doc’s I’ve seen just dismiss it…since we’ve tried a bunch of stuff. I also heard that the supplement Cellfood and Vitamin K worked for some people. Again Face Doctor Soap is also excellent. It’s won awards around the world.
Okay I’m back. Just tried the aspirin mask which worked great and milk of magnesia which worked great. The Derm’s also have known about the combo sodium sulfacetamide plus sulfur since 1962. Epsom salts contain sulfur… try it.
I’m sorry. One more thing. A daily aspirin has also been recommended for rosacea. Don’t take if you are on blood thinners or have a bleeding problem.
hey davidp
i have rosacea frm 7 years,acute rhinophyma
am 21,female
been getting treatment from past 6years
am planing to get my surgery
pls suggest some information togo in for my operation
Hi Sandy,
I can’t recommend anything myself as I have never had surgery on my nose. Hopefully your doctor has a list of things to help like recommendations on moisturizing, sunscreen, avoiding flushing while healing ?
davidp.
Hi all
I’ve only just found this site today due to being tired of having “Rudolph” Syndrome… I first thought it was my dermatitis playing up, but looking at the pictures and reading more into it, I think it could be rosacea too. Either way, I’m off to my docs on Monday to get their opinion. Due to having dermaitis, any harsh soaps cause my skin to flare up and become sore, extending the redness to most of my face.. Joy. Is there a good soap for unblocking pores that you know of (for blackheads on my nose) that isn’t harsh on the skin? Haven’t found one that works and I don’t think these blocked pores help the rosacea.
Also… You mention using sun cream and such, usually the sun helps my dermatitis, so do you know if this will this stop the healing effects?
Hopefully the doctor will help on Monday, does anybody else suffer from both of these conditions at once that may have some advice? Anything will do…
Thankyou
I’m in my early 70′s and recently contracted rosacea l’m told this is older than usual. Anyway, there is no family history and I am not a sun worshipper. I recently had a crisis and had a total melt-down – I cried non-stop for 6+ hours and developed the rosacea soon after that. I firmly believe that stress is definitely a causative factor. I’m treating it morning and night by cleansing my face with Cetaphil, a gently cleanser, rinsing with tepid water and then applying Rosasol which was prescribed by my Dr. I’ve gone from beet red to a rosy colour and the few pimples have cleared up. Some time after applying the Rosasol, I apply Olay moisturizer with an SPF of 15. If spending time in the sun, I apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. For special occasions, I apply some foundation on the most affected spots. I’m pleased that I found this site and look forward to reading others take on rosacea.
I am 36 and suffer from this as well, I have had good luck with Fallene Total block spf 65. I also have Kotz spf 60. What ever you use make sure it has titanium dioxide in it. I tried many others that didnt have it and had many break outs from the sun.
Is there any relationship with rosacea and drinking red wine?
Denise, I’ve done a lot of reading about rosacea including diet. Red wine was mentioned as a possible trigger, but I think that’s when you already have it. I don’t think it causes it. I’m not much of a drinker, but 2 weeks ago I had about 3 glasses of red wine and it made no difference. The Rosasol took the redness and postules away quickly, but I’m still a rosy colour. I wish it would go away totally, but I can live with it.
Well I found on this website somewhere several months ago that Milk of Magnesia works on Rosacea!
I have to tell you whom ever posted that bit of information THANK YOU!
I use Milk of Magnesia on my face at night and it clears up any Rosacea breakout, keeps the redness under control.
I also watch what I eat from the roscea triggers list especially no cheese or dairy products and try not to get too stressed out and never go out of the house without my Aveeno 55 Sun Screen for face.
My nose stopped swelling up and I feel so releved!
Anyone that has Rosacea owes it to themselves to try Milk of Magnesia at night after you wash your face.
And don’t get the cheap brand. I tried that and it has less effect because it has a lessor amount of ingedients. I use the Cherry Flavored because that is all they have at out local store. At least it smells good! Lol
I no longer take the anti-biotics and I am no longer using all those harsh Rx medicationsor topicals.
It’s amazing all the money I spent for Rx’s and all the torture I went through trying to find an answer thinking I would suffer horribly with a swollen nose and brekouts at the age of 59!
P.S. I have also stopped drinking hot coffee and hot tea and I have to tell you I am saving a bunch by not buying coffee. Plus I do not get those caffine headaches any more…. I may occassionally have some decaf coffee but let it cool down – way down – and I do make a cup of green tea with honey in the mornings and let it cool down so it is not hot. Green tea is naturally decafinated… so still no caffine headaches…
My face is 110% better =)
Hi everyone
Thanks for all of your sharing.
Does anyone have what appear to be flat white patches
(mine are mostly the forheadstarted 2 yrs. ago )
They are “extremely” tender and burn when I’m hot.
I have had cheek & chin rosacea for yrs. and like many of you have tried every treatment on the market.
Basically I gave up and the broken blood vessela on cheel and nose and now jaw are quite advanced.
Foryunately the only area spared “is” my nose though I have noticed some thickening of the skin.
The worst symptom by far at the moment is the spreading & severe tenderness of the forhead patches.
When a finger is passed ever so gently over them it feels as tho’ there are millions of metal slivers in the skin.
My dermatologist says it is the rosacea & a I currently
have been using metrogel with no effect.
Has anyone had metro prescribed orally as well ?
Thanks and appreciate all of your support.
Look forward to your feed back.
Jean
I am 48 and have been slowly progressing toward extreme Rosacea which we know is the swollen and open sore(s) nose. I have tried almost everything. Well, not the Milk Of Magnesia. My concern with that is that anything seems to irritate my nose. What has helped me the most is to stop eating when it starts to flare up. Sometimes I go a day only drinking water to get it to calm down and if I stay on a very bland, no dairy products or any of the foods that seem to irritate it, diet, I seem to do ok. But I have been on a very VERY strict diet for years and no matter what I do, it continues to progress. I do believe that my diet has a LOT to do with my Rosacea though (and mild Rinophyma.) I have to be VERY careful what I eat and drink, and like I said, let my system settle down by only drinking water for a day if I start any flare ups. I have looked at the food lists that others say can bother their nose, and for me, its almost any food, yet some definitely more of a problem for me than others. One bright side is that it keeps my weight under control. P.S. Fasting for a day on water is not for everyone. Obviously if u have a medical condition, like diabetes, that approach isnt for you. Wish you all well.
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