Rosacea - what kind do you have, what doc treats it, and what's worked?

[Anonymous]

I developed rosacea last fall - oddly enough, the first episode came on about a week after I had emergency pelvic surgery (no idea if something that happened during that episode could have triggered it?). Anyway, I just get red and warm/hot on my cheeks and nose - it almost tingles. So far no acne or anything but flushed and feeling uncomfortable where it's red.

My GP prescribed metronidozole gel, but that just irritates my skin (and I presume this is more acne focused?).

I also have blepharitis/ocular rosacea, which had developed about a year prior. (FWIW, also have Raynauds, almost the opposite problem there and am likely going through peri-menopause.

Curious to hear from others - what kind of doc do you see for this and what has helped you manage it? Did it start off as just flushed and warm and get progressively worse?

[Anonymous]

I see a dermatologist for my rosacea, which I’ve had for decades. I get the red bumps (on my cheeks) and I haven’t had luck with the metrocream or metro gel (the latter is much too drying for me). I did have good luck with the oral antibiotics, taking just in bad flare ups a few times a year, but that stopped working for me in my late 40s. And good grief, with my insurance it’s still $300 a bottle.

Last year I started on topical Soolantra and it’s worked wonders for me. It may though just be for people who get the red pustules.

[Anonymous]

Almost every product designed for faces causes my rosacea to flare up. I no longer use anything on my face. I wash with water only (and even that basically just means that my face gets wet in the shower and I pat it dry). And in the winter when it gets really dry, I use theraplex hydrolotion.

My latest flare up was literally caused by cerave. Anything with spf will do it also, so I try to stay out of the sun and use pure zinc if necessary.

[Anonymous]

I had this type of rosacea in my early twenties and after pregnancy developed into more hormonal cystic pimples.

When I did have the red, flushed rash-like rosacea problems, I found that avoiding the sun and spicy foods were critical. I would also start feeling my cheeks get warm and would put ice-cold washcloths on them immediately and that seemed to help, too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks - so, does it always start out this way (just redness/feeling hot and tingly) and continue to get worse?

Also, do you have other inflammatory conditions? I wonder about co-morbidities.

[Anonymous]

I have redness and flushing as well as ocular rosacea. No p&ps.

Calming facial cleanser (Toleriane), a mild moisturizer, and zinc (a liquid mineral foundation) are what I used until 2020. Through the pandemic and with masks, I've just washed with water and left my face alone. Washing with water is okay, but not better or worse than the 2019 routine.

My brother and father have the enlarged nose from rosacea. I don't have that.

[Anonymous]

I have rosacea and some ocular problems, too.
Let's see. I have had the most benefit from non Rx products. But I also have pretty dry skin.
I get red and tight on my cheeks, by my nose, and red and rough on my chin.
I have been looking for products that say the skin barrier repair. I use a gentle cream cleanser, a serum with niacinimide (which did at first cause flushing! For the first week or so I layered it over a gentle moisturizer until I could gradually it first) and I follow that with a natural moisturizing oil. But again, I have dry/dehydrated skin. i think it has really helped my flushing and the cream cleanser has helped smooth my rough chin.

[Anonymous]

I developed rosacea after a sinus infection that required 3 courses of antibiotics. It took me about a year to figure out what triggers my face and neck to turn bright red/itchy/bumpy. I now avoid those triggers with a passion and that controls 80% of my flare ups. When my face starts to get tingly and hot I do cold compresses and a Benadryl to slow it down. I only wash my face with Dove Sensitive skin. I can only use Aveno lotion. I can't use any makeup. The only lip balm I can use is Chapstick, Burts Bees, Carmex and Blixtex tinted with spf. Figuring all of this out was a painful and frustrating process. I also can no longer drink beer or wine. I can drink hard alcohol once in a while. My dermatologist suggested I take a Pepcid Complete 1 hour before a drink to help the flare up and it usually does help. During the winter I have a humidifier going 24/7 in our house to help as well.

[Anonymous]

OP here - found this which is worth reading if you have rosacea.

There must be a lot still not known about it, but looks like it would be great if there was a clinical doc who could address the neurovascular dysregulation/neuroinflammation mentioned here: https://www.rosacea.org/rosacea-review/2018/summer/rosacea-comorbidities-and-future-research-outlined-by-expert-committee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I developed rosacea after a sinus infection that required 3 courses of antibiotics. It took me about a year to figure out what triggers my face and neck to turn bright red/itchy/bumpy. I now avoid those triggers with a passion and that controls 80% of my flare ups. When my face starts to get tingly and hot I do cold compresses and a Benadryl to slow it down. I only wash my face with Dove Sensitive skin. I can only use Aveno lotion. I can't use any makeup. The only lip balm I can use is Chapstick, Burts Bees, Carmex and Blixtex tinted with spf. Figuring all of this out was a painful and frustrating process. I also can no longer drink beer or wine. I can drink hard alcohol once in a while. My dermatologist suggested I take a Pepcid Complete 1 hour before a drink to help the flare up and it usually does help. During the winter I have a humidifier going 24/7 in our house to help as well.

OP here - antibiotics could have triggered mine - I was at the ER with peritonitis and had emergency surgery. So, I had IV antibiotics followed by a week of two different antibiotics. Rosacea flushing started during this recovery process and it pops up at random times - no obvious/consistent triggers so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks - so, does it always start out this way (just redness/feeling hot and tingly) and continue to get worse?

Also, do you have other inflammatory conditions? I wonder about co-morbidities.

Mine usually starts with itchy headless bumps (the size of large zits or small mosquito bites), then the redness spreads.

[Anonymous]

I have the burning, redness, and flushing but no bumps, acne, or pustules. I've found (and my derm confirmed) that the most important thing I can do right now is avoid triggers. Mine are spicy foods, alcohol (esp wine), and irritating skin products. I keep my skincare *very* simple and mild. I'm also more likely to have flares in the afternoon, especially if I'm in a warmish room.

Oh, and I have Raynauds, too. It's annoying - if I'm warm enough that my fingers aren't turning white, then I'm likely to have a flushing episode.

[Anonymous]

Have any of your doctors discussed the possibility of estrogen playing a role (like low estrogen)?

[Anonymous]

The only thing that worked for me is a low dose of antibiotics daily. It cleared it up so quickly and I haven't had it since.

None of the expense creams or jells ever worked for me AT ALL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing that worked for me is a low dose of antibiotics daily. It cleared it up so quickly and I haven't had it since.

None of the expense creams or jells ever worked for me AT ALL.

I should have specified, I had the kind where I had bumps and terrible painful pustules.