Re: Can Antibiotics make rosacea worst? PART 2

[Guest guest]

Marjorie thanks for your input. Of course since this is email it's

sometimes difficult to include all relevant information without

writing a book. Firstly, my new Derm who diagnosed me is very kind,

caring and listens well. She knew a little about rosacea but had not

treated many patients. I like her because she has been willing to

work with me to help find the best solution for me. I was first told

by my previous Derm that I had eczema. He never listened to the

symptoms I was describing (burning, stinging, itchy skin). That was

in Jan. I went to my new Derm in Feb. While I was there I told her I

saw the pamphlet for rosacea on the table and said that I had similar

symptoms, but with no redness and a few papules. This is how we both

came to the conclusion that it could be rosacea.

You see I'm African American (Janet complexion) and as you

know this disorder can affect anyone, however, I have not found much

information out there on people of African descent with this disease.

No one in my family has it, matter of fact all my family has flawless

skin so that's what I did inherit. So the first thing people think is

that my skin just looks a little pink. Well that pinkness grew to red

in the areas where I was treating it with metro lotion. It's also

interesting to note that on the side that I had the most papules and

treated a larger area with the metro lotion, that side of my face is

more red than the other areas. So I can't help but think that the

lotion did have something to do with the redness coming on.

The oral antibiotics may not have exacerbated the disease but it was

during this time that my condition got worst. As far as topical

irritants, just as I read and became knowledgeable about diet,

exercise, vitamins and other key triggers such as stress, I learned

about face cleansers and moisturizers. And because I also model (I

hope to continue if I can get healed) my skin care line and makeup

are very expensive and of top quality. However, I stopped using

everything in order not to clog pores or make anything worst. My Derm

gave me cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. Hated it, burned and

stung my face. So after about 2 days of that, I began to use just

plain bottled water on my face and eucerin cream as a moisturizer.

This was the only thing I could put on my face. After about a week of

this I got my book and learned about Oil of Olay Sensitive Foaming

Face Wash. This worked great! No stinging or burning. So I began to

use this during these six weeks (I was about 10 days into using the

meds). I also bought 100% pure filtered jojoba oil from my health

food store and put that on wet skin after using the face wash. Let

dry and put on meds and then moisturizer. My skin started to show

signs of improvement now the texture changed. I had dry flaky skin

everywhere and it started flaking around my hairline as well. I

began to have red ears that too itched and are very dry and flaky as

well. So now I'm really confused, I doing all of these things yet my

condition is progressing at light speeds! I also began to have ocular

rosacea symptoms ( I just an Ophthalmologist yesterday). So why am I

having such reactions?

Maybe it's because what I think brought this on, I'm exposed to 5

days per week. When my symptoms first began in early Nov. the

building I work in which is 200 years old, had the ventilation

symptom worked. It began pumping heat into my office that did not

come through prior. During the next 2 months I began to itch and

burn and have a new papule show up while I was in my office. I did

not think anything of it. I then encouraged my colleagues to get our

air tested. We did it came back that we had above normal levels of

fungi in our building. Since then, had the building throughly

cleaned including carpets. It's also noteworthy to mention that " my "

office had usually high levels. I know this may sound strange or not

connected at all but I can only think that if it is because I was

exposed to something and now my immune system is lowered, isn't being

on antibiotics contributing to my lowered immune system hence

allowing the disease to continue to progress? I am trying to cover

all avenues and stay 1 step ahead of this disorder that's why if I do

have a toxin or fungi in my blood, I would like to get the best

treatment that will get rid of what's in my blood and not just mass

the illness with trying to treat what's visible. I have had new blood

work done and hopefully will find out if there is another underlying

reason.

Thanks for listening!

Max

>

> Maxigee, I don't see how the doxycycline had anything to do with

the

> exacerbation. I'm impressed your dermatologist could diagnose

rosacea

> without redness and only 4-5 papules and a history of " flawless

> normal skin. " cea is a chronic condition with exacerbations and

> remissions that can be managed but never controlled. So if you do

> have rosacea, symptoms can unfortunately worsen even with your best

> effort and intentions.

>

> But you didn't mention the most important aspect: what you were

using

> to clean and moisturize your face during those six weeks, or what

> you're using now. One obvious explanation for your worsening

symptoms

> is direct irritation from skin care products or makeup, including

> botanicals and other products marketed as for sensitive skin.

>

> One common mechanism for worsening rosacea as antibiotics are

> weaned/discontinued: their anti-inflammatory action mask the

> irritation caused by skin care products, then when antibiotics are

> withdrawn the irritation/inflammation manifests unchecked. So just

> because your face improved with antibiotics doesn't necessarily

mean

> you're using the best products on your face -- which are as few

> ingredients as possible, a bare minimum cleanser and a moisturizer

> that mimics the protective barrier (either oil or a water-based

> moisturizer with simethicone).

>

> Your doctor is the one to prescribe and stop your antibiotics, not

> anyone here.

>

> Good luck.

>

> Marjorie

>

> Marjorie Lazoff, MD