Re: Ocular rosecea & rhino-whatever that is!

May 2, 2002

Anyone answering these questions please post to all - I have some of the

same questions.

Ocular rosecea & rhino-whatever that is!

> Hi everyone,

>

> I got many helpful e-mails in response to my last question so I

> thought I'd try again.

>

> Does anyone know if there is new information on the symptoms and

> treatment of occular rosecea?

>

> My optometrist clearly wants me to treat my (mild) rosecea, and I'm

> assuming it's because I have this other condition which affects my

> corneas, and he wants to avoid future complications. Apparently if I

> don't treat the rosecea it might progress to my eyes?

>

> These are just some of the things I don't understand!:

>

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

>

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea when one of the

> things I'm supposed to do for this other condition is HOT COMPRESSES

> on my eyes? (which, BTW, caused considerable itching and irritation

> the day after I tried it...but I don't know if that might have come

> from the Muro 128 ointment I put in my eyes at bedtime).

>

> I was warned against touching my nose or cheeks with the hot compress

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of the

> rosecea?

>

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it. All of the

> symptoms, which I repeat are very mild, I had attributed to other

> causes (allergic to the pillowcase; drank alcohol when I was younger;

> everyone gets red when they take a shower or work-out!; I must have a

> guilty conscience; and so on). I am sorely tempted not to use the

> metrocream, because I almost feel like I was doing better without it

> (probably just because I didn't know any better!). Anyway, how can I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?! (I'm

> a woman.)

>

> 4) This is somewhat off-topic, but I noticed everyone here is pretty

> familiar with skin allergies (seems you have to be!), so maybe you

> can point me in the right direction on this:

>

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5% sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

>

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

>

> Any help (in simple terms, please!) will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Jan

>

> --

> Please read the list highlights before posting to the whole group

(http://rosacea.ii.net/toc.html). Your post will be delayed if you don't

give a meaningful subject or trim your reply text. You must change the

subject when replying to a digest !

>

> See http://www.drnase.com for info on his recently published book.

>

> To leave the list send an email to

rosacea-support-unsubscribe

>

May 2, 2002

There's not a lot of info out there about occular rosacea.

Everything I know is from Dr. Nase's book . And if it makes you feel

better, I also have very mild rosacea - mostly in my eyes and a

little on my forehead.

Here are my remedies:

Hot compresses to get the mucas film going - it doesn't worsen

anything for me.

I use Refresh Eye Gel to prevent dry eyes.

Advil Liquid gel caps reduce inflammation. These are quite helpful,

and I'll take them for 3 days or so.

For something that won't go away, I use steroid drops, something with

prednisone in it as prescribed by the Dr.

If you moisturize, and you apply it to your eye area, it might also

trigger a flare-up, most do for me. I use Estee Lauder Verite Skin

calming fluid and that does not irritate while jojoba and Emu oils,

petroleum jelly most eye serums, Clinic, sunscreens - just to name a

few - all cause eye flare-ups.

Finally, I used to take Oregon Grape Root extract in capsule form,

which is useful for skin inflammations and it really cleared my eyes

right up, it just takes about 3 - 4 months to see results.

Finally as far as topical meds, maybe you might want to try Metrogel.

I thought the cream clogged my pores and it made me zitty!

Hope this helps a little!

> Hi everyone,

>

> I got many helpful e-mails in response to my last question so I

> thought I'd try again.

>

> Does anyone know if there is new information on the symptoms and

> treatment of occular rosecea?

>

> My optometrist clearly wants me to treat my (mild) rosecea, and I'm

> assuming it's because I have this other condition which affects my

> corneas, and he wants to avoid future complications. Apparently if

I

> don't treat the rosecea it might progress to my eyes?

>

> These are just some of the things I don't understand!:

>

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it

with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

>

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea when one of the

> things I'm supposed to do for this other condition is HOT

COMPRESSES

> on my eyes? (which, BTW, caused considerable itching and irritation

> the day after I tried it...but I don't know if that might have come

> from the Muro 128 ointment I put in my eyes at bedtime).

>

> I was warned against touching my nose or cheeks with the hot

compress

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of

the

> rosecea?

>

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it. All of

the

> symptoms, which I repeat are very mild, I had attributed to other

> causes (allergic to the pillowcase; drank alcohol when I was

younger;

> everyone gets red when they take a shower or work-out!; I must have

a

> guilty conscience; and so on). I am sorely tempted not to use the

> metrocream, because I almost feel like I was doing better without

it

> (probably just because I didn't know any better!). Anyway, how can

I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?!

(I'm

> a woman.)

>

> 4) This is somewhat off-topic, but I noticed everyone here is

pretty

> familiar with skin allergies (seems you have to be!), so maybe you

> can point me in the right direction on this:

>

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid

products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5%

sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified

water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

>

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

>

> Any help (in simple terms, please!) will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Jan

May 2, 2002

There's not a lot of info out there about occular rosacea.

Everything I know is from Dr. Nase's book . And if it makes you feel

better, I also have very mild rosacea - mostly in my eyes and a

little on my forehead.

Here are my remedies:

Hot compresses to get the mucas film going - it doesn't worsen

anything for me.

I use Refresh Eye Gel to prevent dry eyes.

Advil Liquid gel caps reduce inflammation. These are quite helpful,

and I'll take them for 3 days or so.

For something that won't go away, I use steroid drops, something with

prednisone in it as prescribed by the Dr.

If you moisturize, and you apply it to your eye area, it might also

trigger a flare-up, most do for me. I use Estee Lauder Verite Skin

calming fluid and that does not irritate while jojoba and Emu oils,

petroleum jelly most eye serums, Clinic, sunscreens - just to name a

few - all cause eye flare-ups.

Finally, I used to take Oregon Grape Root extract in capsule form,

which is useful for skin inflammations and it really cleared my eyes

right up, it just takes about 3 - 4 months to see results.

Finally as far as topical meds, maybe you might want to try Metrogel.

I thought the cream clogged my pores and it made me zitty!

Hope this helps a little!

> Hi everyone,

>

> I got many helpful e-mails in response to my last question so I

> thought I'd try again.

>

> Does anyone know if there is new information on the symptoms and

> treatment of occular rosecea?

>

> My optometrist clearly wants me to treat my (mild) rosecea, and I'm

> assuming it's because I have this other condition which affects my

> corneas, and he wants to avoid future complications. Apparently if

I

> don't treat the rosecea it might progress to my eyes?

>

> These are just some of the things I don't understand!:

>

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it

with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

>

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea when one of the

> things I'm supposed to do for this other condition is HOT

COMPRESSES

> on my eyes? (which, BTW, caused considerable itching and irritation

> the day after I tried it...but I don't know if that might have come

> from the Muro 128 ointment I put in my eyes at bedtime).

>

> I was warned against touching my nose or cheeks with the hot

compress

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of

the

> rosecea?

>

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it. All of

the

> symptoms, which I repeat are very mild, I had attributed to other

> causes (allergic to the pillowcase; drank alcohol when I was

younger;

> everyone gets red when they take a shower or work-out!; I must have

a

> guilty conscience; and so on). I am sorely tempted not to use the

> metrocream, because I almost feel like I was doing better without

it

> (probably just because I didn't know any better!). Anyway, how can

I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?!

(I'm

> a woman.)

>

> 4) This is somewhat off-topic, but I noticed everyone here is

pretty

> familiar with skin allergies (seems you have to be!), so maybe you

> can point me in the right direction on this:

>

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid

products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5%

sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified

water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

>

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

>

> Any help (in simple terms, please!) will be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Jan

May 2, 2002

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it

with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

I would not recommend placing any active ingredients on the eyelids.

They are the thinnist skin in the body, and so are most likely to

react with obvious swelling, which can be disconcerting. Even more

concerning, the eye itself may absorb what is placed on the eyelid or

anywhere around the eye socket.

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea

No way to prevent anything with rosacea, it's just a matter of

(ideally) slowing down the progression while getting skin and eyes in

the healthiest condition possible, given the reality of the

everpresent influence of rosacea.

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of

> the rosecea?

The skin theory goes like this: continual flushing and/or

inflammation causes progressive vascular leakage and/or abnormal

attraction of inflammatory mediated and other cytokines, thereby

worsening the underlying vascular and/or inflammatory insult. Who

knows? I've not seen the clinical evidence that proves progression to

the final stages of skin rosacea can be avoided with good anti-

inflammatory (antibiotic) care, though it makes sense.

I don't understand how a hot compress would help (other than by

wiping off crusts and crud ).

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it.

Often, ocular rosacea precedes early in the course of rosacea, by

years or decades.

> Anyway, how can I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?!

(I'm a woman.)

I don't remember your post describing what's happening with your

nose, but for sure it's not rhinophyma. Your skin there may be more

advanced than the rest of your face.

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid

products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5%

sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified

water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

It's a common over-reaction that a person with sensitive skin has to

avoid all products that could potentially cause sensitivity. Most

people with sensitive skin can tolerate most products. The point is,

that if a reaction occurs, some products are far likelier culprits

than others.

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

The Web is full of misinformation.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

May 2, 2002

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it

with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

I would not recommend placing any active ingredients on the eyelids.

They are the thinnist skin in the body, and so are most likely to

react with obvious swelling, which can be disconcerting. Even more

concerning, the eye itself may absorb what is placed on the eyelid or

anywhere around the eye socket.

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea

No way to prevent anything with rosacea, it's just a matter of

(ideally) slowing down the progression while getting skin and eyes in

the healthiest condition possible, given the reality of the

everpresent influence of rosacea.

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of

> the rosecea?

The skin theory goes like this: continual flushing and/or

inflammation causes progressive vascular leakage and/or abnormal

attraction of inflammatory mediated and other cytokines, thereby

worsening the underlying vascular and/or inflammatory insult. Who

knows? I've not seen the clinical evidence that proves progression to

the final stages of skin rosacea can be avoided with good anti-

inflammatory (antibiotic) care, though it makes sense.

I don't understand how a hot compress would help (other than by

wiping off crusts and crud ).

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it.

Often, ocular rosacea precedes early in the course of rosacea, by

years or decades.

> Anyway, how can I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?!

(I'm a woman.)

I don't remember your post describing what's happening with your

nose, but for sure it's not rhinophyma. Your skin there may be more

advanced than the rest of your face.

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid

products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5%

sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified

water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

It's a common over-reaction that a person with sensitive skin has to

avoid all products that could potentially cause sensitivity. Most

people with sensitive skin can tolerate most products. The point is,

that if a reaction occurs, some products are far likelier culprits

than others.

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

The Web is full of misinformation.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

May 2, 2002

> 1) If, as I've read, ocular rosecea is essentially a problem of the

> EYELIDS (which left untreated may lead to corneal irritations,

> abrasions, whatever), then what's the big deal, why not treat it

with

> the same Metrocream that's put on the nose & cheeks?

I would not recommend placing any active ingredients on the eyelids.

They are the thinnist skin in the body, and so are most likely to

react with obvious swelling, which can be disconcerting. Even more

concerning, the eye itself may absorb what is placed on the eyelid or

anywhere around the eye socket.

> 2) How am I going to PREVENT getting ocular rosecea

No way to prevent anything with rosacea, it's just a matter of

(ideally) slowing down the progression while getting skin and eyes in

the healthiest condition possible, given the reality of the

everpresent influence of rosacea.

> but geez, hot is hot: won't this just speed-up the progression of

> the rosecea?

The skin theory goes like this: continual flushing and/or

inflammation causes progressive vascular leakage and/or abnormal

attraction of inflammatory mediated and other cytokines, thereby

worsening the underlying vascular and/or inflammatory insult. Who

knows? I've not seen the clinical evidence that proves progression to

the final stages of skin rosacea can be avoided with good anti-

inflammatory (antibiotic) care, though it makes sense.

I don't understand how a hot compress would help (other than by

wiping off crusts and crud ).

> 3)My rosecea is so mild, I was shocked to learn I have it.

Often, ocular rosacea precedes early in the course of rosacea, by

years or decades.

> Anyway, how can I

> already have changes in my nose, which I've read is a LATE stage

> development, and supposedly happens almost exclusively to MEN?!

(I'm a woman.)

I don't remember your post describing what's happening with your

nose, but for sure it's not rhinophyma. Your skin there may be more

advanced than the rest of your face.

> I've been taught that people with senstive skin should avoid

products

> containing LANOLIN. The Muro 128 I put in my eyes contains 5%

sodium

> chloride, LANOLIN, mineral oil, white petrolatum, and purified

water.

> What might an allergic reaction to this look like, and is it likely

> only to affect me if I get it on my skin, or my eyes too?

It's a common over-reaction that a person with sensitive skin has to

avoid all products that could potentially cause sensitivity. Most

people with sensitive skin can tolerate most products. The point is,

that if a reaction occurs, some products are far likelier culprits

than others.

> Sorry to be so clueless. I've searched the web as best I can (my

> vision's not so hot right now!) but the info is usually so over my

> head...or contradictory...that I can't make heads or tails of it.

The Web is full of misinformation.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

May 3, 2002

In a message dated 5/2/02 8:42:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

emarjency@... writes:

> I don't understand how a hot compress would help (other than by

> wiping off crusts and crud ).

>

I have ocular rosacea - very dry eyes and blepharitis. My blepharitis

doesn't include the crustiness along the eyelid margins though. My eyelids

are very itchy and red and often swollen. I can tell you that the hot

compresses help me more then anything (other then the punctual plugs that i

had inserted). The heat helps open up the oil glands along the lash line -

dry eyes is often due to mem. gland dysfunction (this is what I have) - my

eye doctor compared the oil in those glands to Crisco - that's what happens

to the oil; it thickens and hardens and thereby cannot come out to coat the

the eye surface properly. The heat softens the oil so that it can be

excreted. Anyway, just thought I'd add my 2 cents about the hot compresses -

I also do one eye at a time to avoid any other skin contact since that will

cause me to flare.

Also, I use Thera Tears and Refresh PM eye gel at nighttime before bed when

my eyes are bothering me. I do the eye lid scrubs with baby shampoo nightly

and use an anitobiotic ointment on my eyelids also. When they're unbareable,

my eye dr will prescribe steroid drops but its important not to stay on them

long term since it can affect the pressure in your eyes.

Good Luck,

Donna

May 3, 2002