I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with ocular and skin rosacea at 19. Like most people, the symptoms whilst not severe at first, started earlier.

So far I have been on all the oral medications (doxy etc), low dose isotretinon, taken fish oil tablets daily, used a sulphur based cream on my face, used a whole bunch of creams only to be in the category of people who are severely allergic, used lidcare twice a day since I can remember, held warm compresses on my eyes for 10 minutes a day ( i still do this), increased my water intake, eaten salmon/fish omega 3 foods regularly, had ipl on my facial rosacea only to see little to no result; had stomach tests, bowel tests, helico bacter tests and even enzyme masks on my face.

At the moment I just had a food allergy test, a m allergic ( not intolerant that is different) to wheat. Went to a dietician, have strictly not eaten wheat for the last 5 weeks and will never again due to my stomach and bowel problems.

What else. Now, in conjunction with my new diet I see a personal trainer for an hour a day 5 days a week. I’m not overweight at 5 ft 10 and weighing 64 kg or about 130lbs??? Something like that. I considered that maybe if I got extremely healthy my problems couldn’t persist. Anyway I don’t drink alcohol and I dont smoke- i couldn’t stand it in my eyes and the alcohol aggrivates everything.

Mainly though, I suffer from depression and I am essentially now somewhat of a hermit. I was possibly the happiest person alive prior to this and I make the most of being what I have at this point. I had to quit uni and at the moment I can’t even work- I’m living with my grandparents! My parents support me and I have a governmental allowance for long term illness. I have not been working for 6 months because my eyes were literally so bad it was all I could think of, I get so much excess green ‘goop’ out of my eyes- my opthamologist said i have some problem with producing excess mucus- it is an entirely sterile substance apparentally. being in the air con at work was hell, at one point my eye lid rims were bleeding and i had such bad blephoratis it hurt to keep my eyes open.

I used to be academically gifted and a part time model. i can see that this has made me stronger and I now look at life in an entirely different way. Its hard to explain to my friends why, I, who used to love being around people now think twice about going to the grocery store if i am having a bad day- it isn’t for vanity I am well over that- its just the fact that the bright lights and air con are so overwhelming that it upsets me to think that such a simple task could cause me such emotional turmoil. I’m feeling positive at the moment but there long periods were I have stayed in bed or haven’t left the house in weeks. Living with my grandparents has helped because they are retired and now..so am I for the timebeing.

I read an article in the paper a littlw while ago into gene research and rosacea; that they had identified a gene which caused it in people. I just hope that in my lifetime they find something that can suppress that gene. For anyone living with skin and ocular rosacea life is a constant battle- avoiding anything that may flare it up and existing in a half life.

People don’t understand what it is or how it steals quality of life. I know how grateful so many people would be if we could find a cure and stop the agony of rosacea.

For anyone suffering, take hope, keep doing the things you can to help it. Most p[eople have more luck than have and find something that works for them. I will let you know how my new super healthy lifestyle goes.

I don’t and I can’t believe this is forever.