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GP treatments

Posted , 5 users are following.

elaine16962
elaine16962

Hi,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I've had issues with the skin on my face for a couple of years. I've been to nurses, GPs, dermatologists, beauticians, anyone that could help. I've been misdiagnosed with yeast infections, treated for blepharitis, given high dose topical steroids then told they will make my skin worse, special shampoos, moisturizers that don't absorb into my skin, this is just is few examples.

Finally the medical community seem to have settled on the diagnosis of rosacea. This seems sensible to me- hot flushes, red cheeks and chin, small spots, sore skin around my lips. I also think I might have ocular rosacea too as my eyes get very itchy, swollen and often feel dry and gritty.

I've been given lymecyclin but it's giving me mood swings (like pms on steroids).

Is there any alternative treatments anyone would suggest asking for or is this the best thing for it?

I've got an appointment with a specialist this week but have no idea what to ask for.

Thanks for any help x

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • debra16694
    debra16694 elaine16962

    Posted

    Hi Elaine - Can I ask you a question...are you peri/menopause? The reason why I ask is, it appears a lot of woman get diagnosed with Rosacea during this phase of life.  For me, hot flashes/flushing just made my Rosacea worse & whenever I would have an “anxiety attack” which is common during these unbalanced hormone times my Rosacea would get really triggered.  I also found my diet had to really change with the Rosacea too.  Just google Rosacea & Menopause, there is a correlation.  I was put on Doxycycline & for the most part, I never noticed any issues with it, but I would only take it when I was really flushing, so not sure that’s the right way to treat it.  I also had ocular Rosacea - I was also given a RX wash, but the name escapes me ...sorry! It appears since my hormones have settled a bit (less hot flashes & migraines) my Rosacea has also calmed down.  Also, I do not go in the sun or try not to get over heated cuz that really gets me going - Goid Luck!

    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 debra16694

      Posted

      Hi,

      I'm 32 so I'm doubtful about it relating to menopause 😂.

      I'm already on a gluten free diet for other health issues and choose not to eat many foods contain high sugars.

      I'm fair skinned so I don't spend much time in the sun, I used to coat myself in sun cream but these days I find it makes my face much worse so I tend to stay out of the sun.

      I'll ask about the ocular wash.

      Fingers crossed this next medical expert knows what they're talking about!

      Thanks x

    • ann81440
      ann81440 elaine16962

      Posted

      Cliradex Is what I use to wash my eyes once or twice daily it has mild tea tree oil it’s great
  • jess00317
    jess00317 elaine16962

    Posted

    Hi Elaine

    There is some correlation between rosacea and skin mites. A more recent treatment has been developed with this in mind called Soolantra.  It’s a cream which contains Ivermectin which gets rid of the skin mites and in many cases the rosacea improves dramatically.  Less invasive than antibiotics so you could ask your gp if you could try it.  If you are in the uk then it is first line treatment on many local formularies and has been approved by NICE.

      Hope you find a solution that works for you 

    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 jess00317

      Posted

      Thanks Jess, I'd read about skin mites causing it in overly sensitive people and this would explain why it's far worse in the morning. I've even tried to sleep with my face off of the pillow as someone suggested this bit I have no idea if it will make any difference! Boyfriend thinks I'm mental 😂. I'm in the UK so hopefully my health board will go along with the soolantra.

      Thanks for the recommendation

  • ann81440
    ann81440 elaine16962

    Posted

    It sounds like you have rosacea also in your eyes you need doxycycline definitely lid scrubs and medication for your face like soolantra cream. Mine started in January... always had mild facial rosacea. Then went to my eyes.... dry burning eyes.  I’m so much better now. Takes months though if not treated early. Blepharitis is so much better now too.  Keep me posted!
    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 ann81440

      Posted

      The eye rosacea isn't diagnosed yet. I've been putting it down to my allergies and necking antihistamines to clear it up. It's only been when I've started looking into rosacea that I've realised this. I've only had eye issues for a couple of months so I'm hoping it'll be under control fairly quickly!

      Thank you

    • ann81440
      ann81440 elaine16962

      Posted

      Elaine your eyes probably have rosacea too. They go together a lot any allergy pills will make your eyes drier. Doxycycline acts as an anti-inflammatory to help your eyes and face
    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 ann81440

      Posted

      You couldn't write it could you, given antihistamines because the eye issues were diagnosed as allergies but they'll make the problem worse. Thanks for your help, sometimes I feel like I'm taking one step forward and two steps back x

  • stefania3
    stefania3 elaine16962

    Posted

    Hi Elaine, I was diagnosed with rosacea 2 years ago.  Was put on low-grade antibiotics (3 months) and Skinoren cream and it cleared up fairly quickly.  Then it flared up again 2 weeks ago and my GP prescribed Rozex gel to be applied twice daily.  It is fairly drying but helped and now I only put it on at night.  Other tips I got: keep face out of the sun, avoid spicy foods and try to avoid stress.   Also, skincare regime: try to avoid anything with scents.  I find these aggravate my skin and tend to make it red so I'm still on LaRoche Posay products from their Rosaliac range.  Their CCCream is particularly excellent for summer weather: SPF, evens out skin tone and moisturises!  For winter or special occasions I use Vichy Dermablend (but not the 3D - that is too heavy) which gives good coverage.  Good luck and hope that helps!

    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 stefania3

      Posted

      Hi,

      I've found sun cream to be a bit of a nightmare, it seems to bring out small bumps and white heads the day after I use it. I definitely need a wide sun hat! Maybe laroche posay will be better....

      I've found the body shop aloe range helps keep my skin calm and has also improved my eczema which is a bonus!

      I'm struggling with foundation to be honest. I'm allergic to liquid foundation, I get swollen eyes, red face, itching, eczema round eyes and mouth, burning sensations so unfortunately dermablend isn't for me. I've tried dermablend and 4 other brands and they all have the same result. Bare minerals powder is the only thing I'm fine with but I doubt the buffing will help.

  • stefania3
    stefania3 elaine16962

    Posted

    I was also prescribed doxycycline for a year after the initial antibiotics but after reading the potential side effects I refused to take it and prefer a bit of a red face if it flares up, than some of the side effects listed.  For ocular rosacea I do daily lid scrubs and daily preservative-free eye drops twice a day.  
    • elaine16962
      elaine16962 stefania3

      Posted

      Thanks for the heads up, I'll have a good look at the side effects. I'm hoping the mood swings caused by the lymecyclin are only temporary and they'll settle down soon. My poor boyfriend only needs to look at me the wrong way and I burst in to tears. Trying to explain to a guy that it's the tablets making me overly sensitive isn't easy. I'm sure he'll laugh about it in the future but on the plus side he's being extra nice to me 😂

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