Fwd: Re: Help! I'm new to the group....

[Guest guest]

Keila, I'm an emergency physician who joined this group because I

have rosacea. I participate like other members, and I also contribute

by answering medical-type questions.

My strong recommendation is for you to first secure a diagnosis with

your internist, family physician, or a referring dermatologist. A Web

site can awaken you to a possibility, but you really can't clinch a

diagnosis that way. I know that you may be hoping to avoid

prescriptions and possibly a doctor's visit, but you may have

something else going on, or if you do have rosacea, there are

complications that might be avoided or delayed with proper care.

If you do have rosacea, the most important thing is *not* to jump and

buy a new product. First, educate yourself about rosacea and its

triggers and see if any apply to you, so you can avoid them. Second,

many here have found it helpful to re-evaluate their skin care and

make-up products for hidden irritants that may be contributing to the

redness. As many here can testify, those two things alone may make a

real difference in your complexion.

You may already be aware that an excellent sunblock, applied often,

and probably a wide-brimmed hat, are going to be important,

especially for your cruise. Reddened skin, whether from flushing or

inflammation, needs to be protected from the sun.

If you do have rosacea, I don't know that antibiotics (the

traditional first-line treatment for rosacea, through a complicated

non-microbial mechanism of action) would help you, though they are

certainly worth a try. Some members have found Dr. Sy's OTC anti-

blush regimine helpful, and other members have found various

prescription pills helpful.

So in addition to practical advice you can pick up here, there are

things your doctor can do to help you, should you have rosacea. I

would strongly urge you to treat yourself right by first getting a

proper diagnosis and getting started on the right regimine, not

throwing something new on your face or popping a pill.

Thanks for making this public, . Sunshine really is the best

disinfectant. In my opinion, new posters asking for the group's help

should get straight, honest answers from unbiased members. ,

however pure your motivation in recommending your product to Keila, I

hope you reflect on how inappropriate, and arguably unethical, it is

to recommend your product to someone who doesn't even have a

diagnosis.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I am looking for some good advice.

> >

> > I have 'what I think to be' pre-roseaca (according to a website

> > www.metrogel.com.) I have the constant sunburned look. I've had

> it

> > for about 8 years (I'm currently 34 years old). I currently use

an

> > Estee-Lauder green color-corrector under my makeup just to look

> > normal. I have no bumps or bursted blood vessels - just constant

> > redness.

> >

> > My husband and I are going on a cruise in 2 1/2 weeks and I would

> > love to find an over-the-counter (or over-the-web) medication to

> help

> > tame the redness.

> >

> > Thank you in advance for your help!!!!

> >

> > Keila Morse

>

>

>

> ----- End forwarded message -----