Conditions

Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin inflammation that is similar to acne but with a few important differences. It can become permanent if left untreated. Often, people with Rosacea suffer from severe self-esteem problems.

Signs and Symptoms:

Rosacea often resembles acne with redness, swelling and pimples. However, it does not cause blackheads or whiteheads. Instead, rosacea can cause the small blood vessels beneath the skin to dilate and become visible as reddish blotches known as telangiectasias. Eventually this condition can lead to a permanent thickening and redness of the skin tissue.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is typically made by a visual inspection of the inflamed skin tissue and by general health questions.

Treatment Options:

Doctors typically treat rosacea with a combination of any of the following: topical ointments, drug therapies, nutritional supplements, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, laser surgery, and herbal and homeopathic treatments.

Traditional Therapy:

Rosacea often responds to the following drug therapies:

• Topical metronidazole or clindamycin ­ antibiotic gel or lotion that is applied directly to the affected area. This is normally the first step in treating rosacea and is highly effective.
• 1% hydrocortisone cream ­ used early in treatment, may relieve inflammation. Stronger steroid preparations should not be used, as these can worsen the problem.
• As with acne, tetracycline may be used in cases where local treatments have not been successful.
• Isotrtinoin may be recommended if other treatments have not worked. (see acne drug therapies for more information).
• Telangiectasias may be treated with laser surgery.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet is very important to the general health of the skin. A good skin diet includes plenty of raw and lightly cooked vegetables, with an emphasis on fresh green vegetables.

It is also generally recommended that you limit your intake of animal fats, hydrogenated oils, and iodine. Other foods to avoid contain additives or preservatives, sodas, chocolate, and fried foods.

Those suffering from rosacea should also avoid eating steaming hot foods as exposure to heat may aggravate your skin. Also, you will want to be particularly careful about alcoholic beverages, which can induce flare-ups. Finally, it is also recommended that you avoid hot, spicy foods such as white and black pepper, red pepper and chilies.

Nutritional Supplementation:

The following nutritional supplements have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of rosacea: (Follow the directions on the labels except were noted here.)

• Acidophilus and bifidobacteria ­ replenishes essential "friendly" bacteria in the intestines, thus helping to keep the body clean and reducing outbreaks. Probiotics are particularly important if you are taking antibiotics, as these drugs destroy both good and bad bacteria.
• Beta-carotene ­ used by the body to manufacture vitamin A (which helps to heal the skin). While vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, beta-carotene is considered extremely safe. Take 25,000 IU of beta-carotene and 5,000 IU of vitamin A, twice daily, five days a week, for one month. If you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking vitamin A supplements. Pregnant women should not ingest a total of more than 25,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per week from all sources.
• Vitamin E ­ 400 IU daily of this antioxidant enhances healing and tissue repair. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
• Zinc ­ 30-80 mg daily (Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements). Aids in the healing of tissue and helps to prevent scarring and is a necessary element in the oil-producing glands of the skin. Take with meals to avoid stomach upset. If you take over 30 mg of zinc daily for more than a month, you should also take 1 to 2 mg of copper each day to maintain a proper mineral balance.
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids ­ strengthens the connective tissue and blood vessels while acting as a natural anti-inflammatory. Take 500 mg of each three times daily, between meals, for one month. Then reduce the dosage to 500 mg of each, once a day.

Alternative Therapies:

• Jigucao is a Chinese herbal patent medicine that is very useful in the treatment of rosacea. Take 500 mg, two or three times daily.
• Calming aromatherapy oils such as chamomile and lavender can help reduce stress, which often exacerbates acne.
• Chaste tree berry (also known by its Latin name, Vitex agnus-castus) aids in hormonal regulation. Take 200 mg of standardized extract two or three times daily for two weeks out of each month. Women should especially take this herb during the two weeks before the anticipated onset of their menstrual periods, as this will significantly reduce flare-ups.
• Gotu kola promotes healing of the skin. 100 mg, two or three times daily, for up to six weeks at a time.
• There are many homeopathic combination skin remedies that may be helpful.

General Recommendations:

• Always protect your face from the sun.
• Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment on hot, humid days.
• Protect your face from the cold by wearing a scarf over you cheeks and nose.
• Keep your skin clean but avoid over-scrubbing.
• Use a moisturizer daily.
• Avoid using harsh facial products, such as isopropyl alcohol. Use only fragrance-free, hypoallergenic skin-care products.
• Use only water-based makeup with gentle, natural ingredients.
• Men should shave with an electric razor rather than a blade.
• Take only warm showers or baths to avoid exposing your face to steamy heat.
• Avoid heavy exertion or high-intensity workouts but make sure to still get regular exercise.
• Consider consulting a physician who utilizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Warnings:

• If left untreated, rosacea can lead to a permanent reddening and thickening of the skin.
• If you are pregnant, or intend to get pregnant, or have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking vitamin A supplements.
• Pregnant women should not ingest a total of more than 25,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per a week from all sources.
• Do not exceed a total of 100 mg of zinc daily from all supplements.