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Newly diagnosed rosacea sufferer

Posted , 8 users are following.

mrt1970
mrt1970

Hi all

I have recently been diagnosed with rosacea by a dermatologist as I have been experiencing all the symptoms in the last two months. My facial flushing began all of a sudden and took me completely by surprise. I am now experiencing pustules and podules as well.

This has left me very anxious and depressed while also avoiding social contact. At the moment my skin is so sensitive and stinging that I cannot bear anything on it including tap water. Washing has become unbearable.

My GP does not seem to be interested because this is seen as a cosmetic issue but we all know that this condition is definitely life changing.

I used to exercise regularly and eat pretty much anything but always healthily and now I don't even know where to begin my rosacea journey. This is all new to me and I understand all sufferers have different triggers and react differently to rosacea products but I seem sensitive to absolutely every type of product. I am currently using aveeno lotion by the bucket load while avoiding water contact and using an electric razor for shaving.

Any advice would be greatly received as I am at my wits end and not sure how to proceed.

Thank you.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Phs
    Phs mrt1970

    Posted

    Sorry you are going through this. I used cocnut oil unrefined, and it was the only thing that soothed my face. Make a food diary, because then you can find out what triggers it. I ate spicy food all my life, hot sauce on everything, and as soon as I cut that out totally my face stopped stinging itching etc. It took about 3 weeks, but it will work.

    Take care

    • mrt1970
      mrt1970 Phs

      Posted

      Thank you Phs

      I have cut out spicy food for a few weeks now but this doesn't seem to have made a huge difference. I have also tried various products given to me by my GP and also some products with natural ingredients but all irritate my cheeks. This along with frequent facial flushing has made me very anxious.

      Should I chose a highly recommended range of products especially for rosacea and continuously use these until my skin becomes accustomed to them i.e battle through the irritation. I think I may have contributed to my skin sensitivity as I have always avoided putting products on my face.

      Any advice will always be greatly received.

      Thank you.

    • kelly-1234
      kelly-1234 mrt1970

      Posted

      Hi

      Sorry to hear what you are going through best advice I was given was try and stay calm and remember this will get better.

      I would go back to your GP and keep going back until your are referred to a dermatologist. I had to keep going back until they finally referred me but that is when things started to change.

      I use gentle and natural products but it takes time, if your skin is hyper sensitive at the moment all the lotions and potions will make it worse. Lavender water helped me, soaking cotton wall in it and leaving them on.

      Try taking a pro-biotic once a day, I used the regular off the shelf at Tesco one and eat green green and more green. I practically lived on sardines and green leafy veg at my worse and honestly believe it helped. Green tea to drink and used cold on your face is also another good trick. Filter you water and keep hydrated. But most importantly get referred to a dermotalgist, medication might be what you need to kick start you skin into recovering. I was on medication for around 12 weeks and keep a packet handy for flare ups.

      You'll find loads of tips on here I really hope some will help.

      Oh another thing I did was make an effort to not worry, after being in the situation where I wouldn't go out because of my face, I braved it and kept positive. I know that may sound crazy but deep breathing, in for say 5 hold for 6 and out for 7 and guided meditation helped calm me and reduce the stress.

      I hope you find what works soon and can get back to your normal life

  • Phs
    Phs mrt1970

    Posted

    The dermatologist told me anything that is hot avoid it. Told me if I drink coffee to make ice coffee, avoid soup etc... It does stress you out, but once your skin calms down you'll be able to deal with it. My husband has it also and chocolate seems to make his worse. I also never use wash cloths, and was using ice water compresses on my cheeks that felt soothing,just using big cotton balls, like the other poster said.

    Also always wear sunscreen. I use neutrogena ultra sheer liquid 70spf

    • mrt1970
      mrt1970 Phs

      Posted

      Hi again

      Thank you for all your support. I am going back to my GP today and insist on some form of way forward. Prescribing different types of emoilient washes are simply not working for me.

      Taking medication until my skin calms may be the only solution at the moment.

      Once again thank you for your support and in some way, it is reassuring to know there are others who have been through this and are able to offer assistance.

      I hope I can do the same in the future.

  • mrt1970
    mrt1970

    Posted

    Hi again

    I have taken a bit of time out to try and accept that I now have rosacea and have to live with it in the best way I can.

    I was wondering if anybody had any views on the calmin skincare range especially formulated for rosacea sufferers by fellow rosacea suffferers?

    I need to find a range of products that will help me on my journey but extremely unsure as my hypersensitive skin seems to react to absolutely everything.

    Thanks for any help or advice.

    Thanks

    • peter47509
      peter47509 mrt1970

      Posted

      Hello mrt1970,

      I have suffered with rosacea for a number of years, and have used lots of different products prescribed by the GP. Because of the various problems associated with rosacea, some symptoms react to some treatments well and other symptoms to other products. I have found that antibiotics such as doxycycline work well by reducing spots and reducing redness. However, it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight and taking antibiotics long term was not what I wanted to do.

      Creams such as azelaic acid and Metronidazole I found useful as well but the problem was washing to remove the grease that comes with creams. Most soaps and face cleaning products caused irritation and flare ups, so the objective was defeated anyway. After trying many cleansing products, I eventually tried sulpher soap. I have found this  gives me the best results. I can wash my face well with it without any reaction, and it seems to help alleviate the rosacea symptoms.

      I am currently useing azelaic  at night and and Metronidazole in the morning, and washing with the sulpher soap, and so far I am very pleased withthe results.

      Te sulpher soap I use is Dead Sea sulpher soap from Boots. I tried it after reading the reviews about it. It is a little expensive but I think it is worth it.

      As mentioned before, we are all different, and you need to take advice from medical practitioners. Also, you need to remember that others don't take as much notice of our condition as we do ourselves. Peering closely in a mirror under a harsh light exagerates things and only makes things seem worse than they are.

      I'm sure you will find a routine that suits you and controls your rosacea.

      Good luck.

    • mrt1970
      mrt1970 peter47509

      Posted

      Hi Peter

      Thank you for describing your own experiences. I have discovered that I am irritated by essential oils and I have found a skin care range that is free from essential oils. I have not noticed any difference to my skin as yet but I will persevere with this product range for the time being.

      I have tried eliminating all known food triggers but because I don't flush ( only when I get very warm or partake in strenuous exercise) then I struggle to find what my food triggers are. I am currently on a dairy and gluten free diet but I am still struggling with facial spots and blemishes. I might have to return to my GP for a course of antibiotics as I am shunning social contact. I am dubious about long term antibiotic use but I am struggling for alternatives. I am also considering IPL treatment for some broken facial capillaries.

      Any further advice on these matters would always be greatly appreciated.

  • peter15508
    peter15508 mrt1970

    Posted

    Hi I think you should be sent to a specialist surprised your GP hasen't done this all ready see a specialist.

    Regards Pete

  • peter15508
    peter15508 mrt1970

    Posted

    Hi

    It is a life changing illness that is for sure you will need to see a specialist to try and help you it is heat tempeture and sun that affects myself put on sun screen factor 50 i also use aveeno shea butter sometimes you can put on to much i am also on tablets roaccatune 20mg a day but have started to flush face red in the morning and gets redder at night i still drink alcohol but dont take hot currys you will need to try different things to help you. I pretty much think the doctors are in the dark with this problem. I dont go out much either wich a lot of people on this site are the same like you all hoping for a miracle cure also put a thin layer of protopic on my chin which seems to keep that part ok. Good luck hope someone can post something that can help and yes deppression is bad go through bad times to Peasy.

  • cheryl_77328
    cheryl_77328 mrt1970

    Posted

    I have also suffered from Rosacea for years off and on and had a really bad flare up but when foderma serum arrived....I washed my prescription cream off and put foderma serum on..Made my face feel much better..I'm not saying it's better or to replace the meds a Dr prescribed for foderma serum. It will take a much longer trial but so far I like it.

  • carole62532
    carole62532 mrt1970

    Posted

    make sure you are referred to a dermatolagist straight away

     

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