New Member

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/18/98 11:08:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, krys@...

writes:

<< Could someone point me to a good website to get some real basic

information about rosacea? For example, how is it diagnosed?

I think I have a very mild case, but how do I know for sure?

The skin on my nose can get >very< red and sensitive to the touch.

Is that enough to make a diagnosis? If so, what can I expect for

the future? >>

Krys,

Here's the link for the cea Society - http://www.rosacea.org/home.html -

and a link to an article about rosacea that I learned alot from.

http://matrix.ucdavis.edu/DOJvol1num2/review/rosacea.html

In terms of diagnose, it's never too early to pay attention. The most

important thing is to figure out what increases your flushing and avoiding

those things. Most of us will share a few and have tons that are different.

You kind of got to be your own detective. The other thing that would help

alot is to be careful with the sun. Always, always use sun screen. And hats

are wonderful too.

Esther

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/18/98 3:17:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,

.Kamp@... writes:

<< The dermatologist said " that's as good as it's

gonna get, there's really nothing else I can do for you. " >>

,

He's wrong. Completely. Change derms, if it's at all possible. You can and

will get better. You gotta play some with meds and alot with products. You

gotta find and avoid your triggers. Most derms start us off on antibotics

to get a strong flare down. Usually, you get weaned off slowly. Sometimes it

isn't, and a change in antibotic might make a big difference.

Esther

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[Guest guest]

Hello Krys,

I also had moderate acne as a teenager and assumed that what I experienced

as an adult was more of the same. I self-diagnosed rosacea only a couple of

years ago from looking at an ad for Metrogel. Then I went to my doctor who

agreed that my diagnosis was correct. I now realize (as I said a few days

ago) that I had rosacea since at least the mid 1970s, but might have had it

even earlier. cea is usually expressed as a bright red nose with spidery

veins and/or blotches that are even darker red. They usually extend out to

the cheeks and also can appear on the chin. Tiny pimples (usually in

batches) appear from time to time. I have not found that Metrogel does

anything, so I don't use it anymore. I use tetracycline to control the

pimples. Otherwise, I wear makeup to cover the redness and try to keep out

of the sun completely.

You should try to get the webmaster to send you old messages. I have been a

member for only a week, and there have been at least 100 of them. After

reading them and printing the ones that interested me I wiped all the others

out. There is an excellent website whose name I cannot remember now, but

just search under rosacea. They're the ones who sell the discs.

They will tell you what are possible triggers etc. I decided that I would

rather live with rosacea than give up spicy foods and hot liquids (besides I

don't notice any difference after eating them anyway).

Regarding the future: if my experience is any guide, you will have a bright

red nose for the rest of your life (I have had rosacea for at least 25

years).

Hope this helps; it's just a thumbnail sketch.

Helen

New member

>Hi,

>I'm new to this email group. I'm 31 years old and have been

>battling acne since about age 12. A few (4?) years ago, a

>dermatologist told me I have rosacea. Since then I've been

>using Metrocream off and on. Right now, I'm also taking

>accutane for the acne.

>

>Could someone point me to a good website to get some real basic

>information about rosacea? For example, how is it diagnosed?

>I think I have a very mild case, but how do I know for sure?

>The skin on my nose can get >very< red and sensitive to the touch.

>Is that enough to make a diagnosis? If so, what can I expect for

>the future?

>

>Sorry to ask such " beginner " questions. Thanks for any help/info.

>

>Krys

>

>--

>----------------------------------------------------------------

>Krystyne Supplee Silicon Graphics Inc

>Strategic Software Organization (SSO) 655 F Lone Oak Drive

>krys@... Eagan, MN 55121

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Try the metrogel or metrocream.......it works for lots of people!!!!

Gretch

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[Guest guest]

I have been a member for about a week and am a bit concerned about the amount

of email. However, it's good to read all of the contributions. I have rosacea

and psoriasis. I was prescribed Doxycyline at Harvard Community Health and was

told that I could take it " forever. " After a month or two, I got what I think

was a terrible fungus infection on my feet which triggered psoriasis and, two

years later I am just getting back to normal. I would be interested in hearing

from others who have had this reaction to long term antibiotics. By the way, I

have also had small red spots that turned into bulls eyes. I always assumed it

was pustular psoriasis.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Skylar,

How do you like the Noritate? I use Metrogel which works ok, and I have a

sample of Noritate that I could try if it gets good reviews. Do you use any

artificial tears? My optometrist told me to use preservative-free

artificial tears to help with the scratchiness.

Everybody,

I'm sure this is common knowledge already, but on the topic of UV rays from

your computer screen, there is a filter you can buy which goes over the

screen. In the meantime, I sit off to the side with the screen turned away

from me-it isn't that hard to read and it seems to help.

Kerry

>

>

>I recently switched to Noritate -- it's a 1% solution of metronidazole

>(Metrogel & Metrocream are .75%) so it can be used 1x day. Also, the

>formula seems less irritating. It was approved in the US in Jan & was

>recently approved in Canada -- don't know if it's available in the UK.

>

>Skylar

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday. And to say thanks to all for

the posts. They have been really helpful and yes, Esther, I have started the

benedryl. I can't tell yet if its helping.

It's really great to get everyone's input. Well, thanks again.

Maureen A.

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[Guest guest]

HI,

Are the bumps gone????..if they are then the tetracyline and metrogel are

working, Those of us with RED seem to have to deal with that. If you

still get bumps its time to try something else but only one thing at a

time...Call your derm and see if he will switch you to zithromax(oral

antibiotic)...for 500mg day 1 then 250mg for 5 days then 250mg every other and

see how that goes...also you may want to try cleocin T lotion or Klaron which

I love!!..If your not bumpy with the tetracycline and metrogel your doing

ok...Try an antihistimine for the red...

donna/lucy

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

Hi new members,

(Where on your face are the spots?) Mine started out with perioral

dermatitis-very hard to get rid of. I finally got those spots with Klaron.

I use metrogel fairly successfully, but many people don't find it helpful.

There are some other treatments available including the cea Ltd Disks

which several people in the group like a lot. I am mainly a flusher,

although my flushed skin gets slightly bumpy and swollen. My nose is

another story! Anyway, I recently tried using Desitin (plain zinc oxide may

be better for the highly sensitive, although I am very sensitive and I can

use D, and you can mix them with vaseline as Esther does) and it's really

helping. I want to thank Esther for mentioning it, because my skin hasn't

looked this good for a long time. I use metrogel, and then a tiny amount of

Desitin, and then oil of olay (for sensitive skin) at night, and only

metrogel and lotion during the day. Before I used the Desitin, I couldn't

put lotion on my face regularly, but now it seems to help. Since I started

this, the redness on my face has almost disappeared, and my skin has

smoothed right out. The other day I looked in the mirror as I was passing

by, and I almost looked pale!!! What a Christmas present Esther! Woohoo!!!

I have some lists of treatments, cosmetics, etc... used by people in the

group which I hope to have organized and ready to post by the new year. I

meant to do it sooner, but have been working extra hours at the health food

bakery in preparation for Christmas. Again, welcome!

Kerry

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[Guest guest]

Hi Kerry & Donna/Lucy

Oops, I forgot to introduce myself, haven't I? My name is ine. Thank you

for your message, great information.

>Where on your face are the spots?

They are everywhere: on my forehead, on the side of my nose, my chin ...

Seemed like they are multiplying. I don't know what it is called. It's

round, dry and cracked (you can peel it off, ) and red most of the time. I

used Nizoral on them for 3 months, but it didn't do anything. They are

impossible to get rid. My derm called it " skin inflamation. " I don't know if

mine is " perioral dermatitis " like yours' Kerry. Oh please do post your lists

of treatments, cosmetics, etc... I'm sure I will need all the information I

can get. And it's a great holidays present for everyone :-)

>Are the bumps gone????

Well the bumps on my nose seemed to decrease in size when I'm taking

tetracyline, once I stopped you can count on it to come back. I heard a lot

about Klaron, is it an OTC? I'll give this a try. I'm not too crazy about

taking oral antibiotics or any medicine. It took the derm about 4 months to

convince me that I need to take tetracycline to treat rosacea and there is no

other way around it. By the way, do you know what hydrocortisone is for? My

derm keeps giving me those. I don't think it does anything to help my skin

problem.

Thank you all very much. I'm glad I found this group. Wishing everyone a

very happy holidays!

ine

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

Hi ine,

I don't use hydrocortisone on my face...it is a steroid and tends to make

matters better then BAM its woarse like you wouldn't believe...I don't think

from the souund of it that the tetracycline is strong enough for you...please

suggets the zithromax to your derm...you won't be on oral antibiotics long if

you take this, it is very strong and works great...

Klaron is prescription and is fairly new..but i love it...good luck and keep

posting.

Donna/Lucy

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/98 4:03:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,

maggieoh@... writes:

<< When I was younger my dermatologist thought the redness on my face was

simply caused by the Seborrheic Dermatitis and so I was prescribed topical

steroids which I used for years. >>

Oh, that happened to me too. Not for years and not because the Derm thought I

had seb/derm but still, I used corts and abused corts till I was in serious

trouble. I will don't understand why Derms prescribe corts for seb/derm.

It's a fungus and relatively easy to treat with antifungals or even sun. Sun

isn't a good option for most of us with rosacea cause it's a trigger for most

of us. But early morning sun, with a good sunscreen, for 10 - 20 minutes can

really help with seb/derm. The scripts available are nizoral and lamisil

cream. (I just found out about lamisil cream and don't know anyone yet who

has tried it.) I used nizoral for years, it's decent and relatively safe. I

can only remember a couple of people who had bad reactions to it. I do know

many people that it didn't seem to work for. There are several newer

antifungals available OTC that work. Some of them are stronger for me than

nizoral. Clotrimazole is sold OTC under that name. Be careful, people can

react to it. So go slow and light. Test it once, do it again till you are

comfortable with it. Clotrimazole is also in OTC vaginal yeast creams and

athletic's foot creams. I really hate to say this, it's embarrassing if

nothing else and makes me seem like more of a wacko, but (gulp) I really like

the vaginal creams the best. There, my secret is completely out. You don't

need them endlessly. You use them until you see the seb/derm is gone (usually

2 - 6 weeks) then you use them another few days. Then stop. Isn't that

great? Seb/derm is completely curable.

<<In general my skin is very sensitive and doesn't respond well to most

medications.>>

Well, you're like me then. I have both and can't use any of the rosacea

topicals on a daily basis. Eventually, I react to them. I do use Cleocin T

Lotion when I'm getting those lousy bumps. You know which ones I mean? And I

use oral meds. I use antihistamines. Daily. You couldn't take them from me

at gun point and that's the truth. Made a major difference in the length and

strength of flaring, for me. I cycle onto minocin as soon as I know I'm

heading towards a flare. Then I can jump back off quickly.

I use zinc oxide and vaseline. Gross, eh? I know it is but I really

react to 99% of the skin products out there. I don't react to them and they

seem to really help me. They are lousy with seb/derm though. Gotta warn you.

I add in an antifungal a couple of times a year.

How are you doing on triggers? Like Donna/Lucy said, not much works till you

figure out your triggers. It's the starting point.

Esther

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

Hi my name is Harriet and not only am I new to this wonderful rosacea site but

new to the internet too, so I'm learning as I go along. I have had rosacea

for at least 10 years and I only plucked up the courage to see my dr about 4

years ago. I was put on tetracycline and metrogel. The results were great,

my huge red nose subsided. Unfortunatly my joints began to swell up which

apparently is a side effect of the anti-biotics, I also got thrush so I

stopped taking the drugs. Metrogel on its own has been completely useless.

So for the last four years I have just put up with it. Putting up with it

means becoming a bit of a recluse and wearing alot of makeup to cover my red

nose. I quess as I get older (i'm 38) plastering my face with make-up is

going to increasingly foulish. Anyway I read all the letters with fascination

and after Christmas will have a go at zinc oxide etc. My nose is much worse

in the evening - is this the same for most people?

Happy happy christmas everyone.

Harriet

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

It seems like I have/had the same situation, though I was never diagnosed with

seb/derm. 3 weeks ago a new Dr. prescribed Noritate and it has been working for

me vs. the Metro twins that were horrible. After using cortisones for so long I

think your body gets hooked on the stuff. In the three weeks I have had to

major flares that have lasted a few days each, and during that time I applied

..5% hydrocortisone to calm it down and it helped. So, it takes time to wean

your system off the stuff, I used to use it every night.

Good Luck, Mike

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Harriet and welcome

When you mentioned the joint problems with tetracycine, I had the same thing

happen to me on minocycine(same family)....my derm put me on zithromax..I

love it..it was 500mg the first day and 250mg once a day for 5 days then every

other day..well i was able to come off completely and have only had to go

back on it once since August...call your Derm make an appointment and bring

the recommendation with you...If youur face is red and swollen at night i

would say your exposing yourself to some trigger over the days time...Try

taking an antihistimineafter supper and see if it helps..

I had cashew(my verey favorite holiday treat) yesterday and within an hour i

was rudolph and santa combined..I took benedryl 25mg..and by bed time my face

was back to normal(I am also on zyrtec 10mg once a day)..i swear by

antihistimines...well hope this helps..good luck and remember you will get

better..really ;-)

Donna/Lucy

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E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

[Guest guest]

Hello, I found that tetracycline did not work for me either. My derm gave me an

oral medication that was made from sulfur and had sulfur in its name. It was

about five years ago; I wish I could remember the name of it. It helped and I

took it for about 8 months. My nose gets red in the evening too. I work

full-time, so I think it's the stress of the day for me. I put cold compresses

on it which seems to help. Merry Christmas to you too! Matija M.

Hi my name is Harriet and not only am I new to this wonderful rosacea site but

> new to the internet too, so I'm learning as I go along. I have had rosacea

> for at least 10 years and I only plucked up the courage to see my dr about 4

> years ago. I was put on tetracycline and metrogel. The results were great,

> my huge red nose subsided. Unfortunatly my joints began to swell up which

> apparently is a side effect of the anti-biotics, I also got thrush so I

> stopped taking the drugs. Metrogel on its own has been completely useless.

> So for the last four years I have just put up with it. Putting up with it

> means becoming a bit of a recluse and wearing alot of makeup to cover my red

> nose. I quess as I get older (i'm 38) plastering my face with make-up is

> going to increasingly foulish. Anyway I read all the letters with fascination

> and after Christmas will have a go at zinc oxide etc. My nose is much worse

> in the evening - is this the same for most people?

>

> Happy happy christmas everyone.

>

> Harriet

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> E-group home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/rosacea-support

>

[Guest guest]

Trish,

Find someone with the nd-YAG laser or similar type " mild " laser.

Immediately after laser treatment the veins zapped will look like you've

been through a zit picking session and you'll be blotchier appearing for

several days, but that's about it. The downside--you may need several

treatments with this type laser to fade spider veins adequately.

Carol

> A freind of mine recently had laser surgery for rosacea

> and brown pigmented lesions. The laser surgery, was " dye laser " ?

> The results were much worse than she had anticipated. She

> hasn't left the house for about 4 weeks. I'm new to this

> condition and the proceedure itself. Can any one help with

> thier own experiences, or perhaps suggestions.

> Thank you.

> Trish

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Cathie,

I get bumps inside my nose and also on my nostrils, which with allergies get

irritated real fast! I have found that the desitin treatment really soothes

these.(The ones on the nostrils, that is..)

Cyd

New Member

>Hello all. I have been reading the messages for the past week with great

interest. It is wonderful to be able to take advantage of the experiences

of others in dealing with rosacea.

>

>I am 38F and was diagnosed with rosacea approximately 2 years ago. I was,

however, experiencing symptoms (cherry cheeks...I use to play connect the

red patches with blush to make me look normal...now I wear foundation over

my cheeks to tone down my " natural blush " ) for about a year prior to that.

My symptons should up at the same time as some rather unusual hair loss and

joint pain, so initially they thought I had lupus. Amazingly, the diagnosis

of rosacea was a relief, although not so much now.

>

>I suffered only minor acne as a teen and burned several times at the

beinging of the seasons.

>

>I also use Cetaphil and do find it drying. I find Biore foaming cleanser

less drying and non-irritating. For moisturizer, I use Dormer 211 (spf 15).

No reaction to it as of yet, although it does contain cetyl alcohol, mineral

oil and a tonne of other unpronouncables (it is inexpensive - $9 CAN). I

use Christian Dior makeup (teint dior) which is outrageously expensive, but

does the trick without irritation.

>

>Alcohol, raisins, spicy food and sun are the main triggers for me, although

there seem to be many others I can't identify. Redness, small bumps, large

pores and veins are the main problem. Pimples, when they appear are often

very small and painful and many times are in my nose (major ouch...does

anyone else experience this?). I am not sure if my eyes are affected but

they often feel gritty...is this how it starts in the eyes?

>

>Thanks to all for sharing what they know.

>

>Cathie

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Fresh flowers are the perfect way to say " I love you " .

>Shipped direct from the grower, Proflowers.com has

>arrangements from $29.95 plus S & H.

>Click here: http://offers./click/216/0

>

>

[Guest guest]

leugene wrote:

> Cathie,

>

> I get bumps inside my nose and also on my nostrils, which with allergies get

> irritated real fast! I have found that the desitin treatment really soothes

> these.(The ones on the nostrils, that is..)

> Cyd

>

>

Thanks for the tip Cyd...I'll try that. It is great that they don't show on

my red face but they really do hurt!

Sound out today that I flare when I eat yogurt. I haven't eaten it in a long

time (no urge to have it), and previously, when I did, I guess I just never knew

that it was the yogurt causing my face fire. Weird...

Cathie

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[Guest guest]

> My MD is now suggesting a 4-month Dynacin treatment so that my skin

> will " learn " to function without the rosacea.

RM-

Forgive the stupidity - what is Dynacin?

Donna G.

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[Guest guest]

RM,

If you find you can " train " your skin to be without rosacea, be sure and

share your secret! My skin is rather incorrigible, you see, and you will

be a very popular fellow, if you discover some remedy or regime that works

100% of the time--at least, you will be this groups' hero

Carol

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[Guest guest]

RM,

If you find you can " train " your skin to be without rosacea, be sure and

share your secret! My skin is rather incorrigible, you see, and you will

be a very popular fellow, if you discover some remedy or regime that works

100% of the time--at least, you will be this groups' hero

Carol

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

You are about to get more mail than you can stand. Hopefully the

information you want will also be there. If your face is red your still in

contact with a trigger,...have you considered what you drink, My really bad

one was coffee, then of course the regular ones spicy foods and pepper(any

form). there are also some perfumes and hand creams that make me itch when

I smell them. so first of all...be calm we have all been there and to quote

Esther " you will get better " . i fouund taking an antihistimine helps many of

us with the red..so try a benedryl at night if you can and seee if it helps,

an asprin a day also is a good thing if you can tolerate it. I use to love

cold compresses on my cheeks and the back of my neck.(now I don't have that

burning anymore..thank God)...but that helped me alot till i found out what

was setting it off. As soon as I felt red i knew I was flaming and I would

write down what i just ate or drank or where I was that was diff. Keeping a

journal is good for starters, just makes you more aware or when its happening.

Then start eliminating what ever it is.

Are you using any topicals or any oral antibiotics?...i would strongly

suggest you do..call a derm and get on them. people worry about long term

effects of oral antibiotics. I found that being on them helped me to clear my

face and now I am without them.(course i still have them and won't hesitate to

go back on) I tried tetracycine, minocycline and then zithromax(I loved that

stuff)..for topicals I tried the metro twins, cleocin T and finally was put on

Klaron(I love that too)...

Now all i use is Klaron and zyrtec(a perscription antihistimine)...so there

is hope..keep your chin up and remember your among friends.

Donna/Lucy

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[Guest guest]

Hi Jen, and welcome!

Desitin is a zinc oxide cream found it the baby section. It is usually used

for treating diaper rash, but for some rosacea patients it works well on

redness and little bumps. It works very well for me, and has made it so

that rosacea isn't the first thing I think about every morning or the last

thing every night. It is such a relief to almost have my life back!

Kerry

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[Guest guest]

On Sat, 13 Feb 1999 19:09:49 -0000 mardy3@... writes:

>Hello Everyone,

>

>I am a new member of this support group. Was just diagnosed with

>rosacea and am interested in communicating with others. My case

>appears to be very mild, but nonetheless embarrassing to have. The

>flushing/redness has been the worst, and the breakouts haven't been

>too bad. Any good advice?

>

>Thanks!!

it is good that you have an early diagnosis..

and a mild case.....

i keep a notebook by my computer..and i am taking notes on products and

treatments that are recommended

by the posters...

keeping informed and working with a good derm would be my

recommendation..

nicki

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