Rosacea News is featuring series of articles that I’m calling “My Rosacea Story“. There is real power in hearing other people’s stories. We’d love to hear from you too. Feel free to send me an email, and to use the following questions as a starting point.
Thanks to Jo for sharing.
How long ago, and how did you discover you had rosacea?
About 6 years ago. I went away for a weekend and noticed how red my face was in the photos. I had some spots too; that wasn’t so unusual because I’ve always been acne-prone, but I was able to put two and two together as my dad had recently been diagnosed with rosacea. I went to my GP who confirmed the diagnosis.
What feelings can you remember from when you first found out?
Frustration, because I had thought I might finally be ‘growing out of’ acne in my late thirties, but then it was replaced by rosacea! I also realised that the dry, sore eyes I’d been experiencing for a while prior to that might be related.
What did you start doing to find relief?
I was prescribed antibiotics but stopped them after a couple of weeks due to side effects. I pared down my skincare and make-up to the basics, and switched to fragrance-free products with minimal ingredients, and it was sufficient to put that first flare-up into remission. I also switched to a different type of contact lenses on the advice of my optician, who had experience of rosacea.
What things did you try that didn’t help?
A few years later I had a more severe flare-up. Erythromycin seemed to cause more redness and irritation to my eyes and skin. Oxytetracycline/doxycycline helped a little but I experienced side effects (spots on my back and chest). I tried avoiding dairy for a couple of weeks but saw no effect.
What things did you try that did help?
Gentle but scrupulous cleansing. Finacea (moisturise first to reduce irritation). Daily SPF50, though it took a while to find one I liked. Reducing caffeine and sugar. Milk thistle supplements. Cod liver oil for eye symptoms. A red LED device designed for treating acne spots.
Where did you find the best advice?
Online, on rosacea forums. I also recommend the Dermnet NZ website for skin issues generally. My GP was sympathetic and open to my suggestions.
Please tell us what advice you would offer newly diagnosed rosacea sufferers?
Review your skincare. Keep a triggers/symptoms diary for a while to see if you can make connections. In my case I’ve noticed that spots follow on from a flushing episode. One trigger in isolation may not cause a flush, but if for example I skip a meal, get by on caffeine and sugary snacks, then have to concentrate on a phone conversation or some work, and I’m tired or the room is warm, then a flush is almost guaranteed! Try new treatments, supplements etc. one at a time and give them a few weeks so you can properly assess what helps.
What hopes do you have for the future for yourself and rosacea sufferers in general?
I’m positive for myself because I feel over the last couple of years, since my rosacea flared up again, I’ve learned both to accept it more and to manage it better. I’d like to see doctors informing themselves by keeping up-to-date with research and listening to feedback from their patients. I’d also love to see research analysis of forum comments with a view to identifying future research topics – there’s a wealth of potentially useful information there, coming directly from rosacea sufferers.
Related Articles
- RRF: Rosacea in Real Life
- Read more My Rosacea Stories.
Borox ,Peroxide and Ebson Salt
It really works
2 years ago I woke up and went to wash my eyes and my face was as red as a tomato from ear to ear I couldn’t believe it. This started me on a path to control what ever it was. I was told I have Roseasa , I tried Red Eyes which did redcue the redness as time went on I tried Mercado it seemed to work but my skin looked dead and pale ,next I was put on Mincycline 100mg 3 times a day for 6 months and it was reducing the redness and swelling.
Then one day I was reading other people’s treatments and a Man had put on about a Borox , Ebson Salt and Peroxide bath to kill skin mites , I did itch more then normal. He said to take a 1 – 16oz bottle of Peroxide , 3- 16oz cups of Borox and 3 – 16oz cups of Ebson Salt pour into a tub and fill tub with as hot of water as you can stand to top stir in ingredients , then submerge yourself in it for 2 hours pour solution over head too for 21 days . The first week I looked like a tomato for hours after my soaking ,the second week I was patchy some parts was perfectly clear and the 3rd week I was light pink in small spots but cleared in minutes.
I decided to make a small batch just for washing my face and I most say it works great even if I get a flare up I wash my face with the solution room temperature and leave on to air dry and in minutes the red goes away.
It’s know been over a year and it’s still working , I also use a 16oz cup of Dead Sea Salt 3 soup spoons in a cup of cool water and pour over my face every time I take a show .
None of the other treatments worked like this nor was as cheap.
great suggestion, I will try this. the rosecea in my eyes is terrible