[Diane]

I wanted to start this thread because I have Rosacea and so do other members here on MUT. I thought it would be nice to be able to talk about it here because it is such a comfortable place. So, we can share skin care and makeup ideas. Although, this is in no a way a medical web site,Tony & Reija were nice enough to allow this topic. Thanks you T&R! So, I'm going start off by posting some information about what Rosacea is. Feel free to Jump in anytime.

What Is Rosacea?

Most people have very little knowledge of rosacea, treatment, symptoms or the cause. Knowing the symptoms and finding the treatment that works for you is the best defense against the social and psychological trauma.

The rosacea classic symptoms are patchy flushing (redness) and inflammation, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and around the mouth. Rosacea typically appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and affects more women than men. As symptoms emerge slowly, rosacea may initially be mistaken for sunburn, leading to a delay in proper rosacea treatment. Rosacea treatment delayed is 'rosacea treatment denied'.

Rosacea is a hereditary; chronic (long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny microvessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch. Pustules are 'not' pimples. Pimples have a bacterial component to their makeup and are also mainly localized in and around the hair follicles while papules are a raised solid red lesion without pus.

Although it may first appear as early as the teen years, rosacea symptoms most frequently begins when rosacea sufferers enter their 30s, 40s or 50s as a flushing or transient redness on the cheeks or nose, and in some cases the chin or forehead. In this earliest stage, some patients may report stinging or burning sensations, including the feeling of dry or tight skin.

"While the incidence of rosacea appears to be rising sharply as more people enter the most susceptible age, many mistakenly think it's just a complexion problem that will go away by itself -- it usually keeps growing worse if left unchecked," said Dr. Joseph Bikowski, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh. "Of greatest concern is that only a small percentage of rosacea sufferers realize that medical help is available from dermatologists to halt its progression and reverse its symptoms."

Rosacea may be persistent and worsen over time, leading to permanent changes in appearance and affecting self-esteem. The condition is treatable. Most cases can be controlled easily by avoiding factors that trigger flushing, using sun protection, and by keeping the body well hydrated with water.

As the condition progresses, flushing becomes more persistent and noticeable. Small, red, solid bumps (called papules) and pus-filled pimples (called pustules) may appear on the skin. Because these appear similar to acne, it is sometimes called acne rosacea or adult acne. However, unlike acne, there are no blackheads. Though rosacea is sometimes referred to as "adult acne," it is a distinctly different and often more serious condition than acne vulgaris, which most commonly occurs during adolescence. While both conditions can cause pimples, rosacea requires different therapy -- acne treatments can actually make it worse -- and rosacea rarely goes away by itself.

Small, dilated blood vessels may become visible, too. Often when people with rosacea blush, the enlarged blood vessels in their faces can look like thin red lines.

In advanced cases, more of the face is affected. The skin swells, cysts form, and small, knobby bumps develop on the nose, making it appear red and swollen. This condition, called rhinophyma, is relatively uncommon and primarily affects men. It was the cause of the late comedian W.C. Fields' best-known feature -- his trademark bulbous nose.

Ocular Rosacea: It can also cause a persistent burning and feeling of grittiness in the eyes or inflamed and swollen eyelids with small inflamed bumps. The eyes may become bloodshot and eyelashes sometimes fall out (Dr. Thiboutot). The rosacea ophthalmic signs are exceedingly variable, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, hypopyoniritis, and even keratitis. The rosacea ophthalmic complications are independent of the severity of facial rosacea. Rosacea keratitis has an unfavorable prognosis, and in extreme cases can lead to corneal opacity with blindness. The most frequent signs of ocular rosacea, which may never progress, are chronically inflamed margins of the eyelids with scales and crusts, quite similar to seborrheic dermatitis, with which it is often confused. Pain and photophobia may be present. It is instructive to ask rosacea patients how their eyes react to bright sunlight.

Stages - Plewig and Kligman Classification of Rosacea

(Taken from their book, Acne and Rosacea, Second Edition, 1993)

Stage I: The erythema (redness) may persist for hours and days, hence the old term erthema congestivum (redness congestion). Erythema lasting only a few minutes is not early rosacea. Telangiectases becomes progressively prominent, forming sprays on the nose, nasolabial folds, checks, and glabella. Most of these patients complain of sensitive skin that stings, burns, and itches after application of a variety of cosmetics, especially certain fragrances and sunscreens. Trauma from abrasives and peeling agents readily induces long-lasting erythema, thus the facial skin is unusually vulnerable to chemical and physical stimuli.

Stage II: Inflammatory papules and pustules crop up and persist for weeks. Some papules show a small pustule at the apex, justifying the term papulopustular. The lesions are always follicular in origin, mainly in sebaceous follicles but also in the smaller and more numerous vellus follicles. Comedones do not occur. The deeper inflammatory lesions may heal with scarring, but scars are inconspicuous and tend to be shallow. Facial pores become larger and prominent. If there has been much solar exposure over decades, the stigmata of photodamaged skin becomes superimposed, namely yellowed, leathered skin (elastosis), wrinkles and solar comedones. The papulopustular attacks become more and more frequent. Finally, rosacea may extend over the entire face and even spread to the scalp, especially if the patient is balding. Itchy follicular pustules of the scalp are typical. Eventually, the sides of the neck as well as the retroauricular and presternal area may be affected.

Stage III: A small proportion of patients develop more serious expressions of the disease, namely large inflammatory nodules, furunculoid infiltrations, and tissue hyperplasia. These derangements occur particularly on the cheeks and nose, less often on the chin, forehead, or ears. The facial contours gradually become coarse, thickened, and irregular. Curiously, patients may not notice these disfigurements. The deranged appearance becomes evident when photographs from previous years are reviewed. Finally, the patient shows diffusely inflamed, thickened, edematous skin with large pores, resembling the peel of an orange. These coarse features are due to extensively inflammatory infiltration, connective tissue hypertrophy, massive fibrosis and elastosis, diffuse sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and extreme enlargement of individual sebaceous glands forming dozens of yellowish unbilicated papules on the cheeks, forehead, temples, and nose. Thickened folds and ridges may create a grotesque appearance mimicking leonine facies of leprosy or leukemia. The ultimate deformity is the phymas, of which rhinophyma is the prototype.

What Causes Rosacea?

No one knows for certain what causes rosacea. Researchers have suggested several factors that may be related to its development:

• A disorder of the blood vessels that causes them to swell, leading to flushing.
• A genetic predisposition combined with certain environmental factors that may irritate the skin.

Rosacea seems to affect fair-skinned people more often, though it can affect any skin type. Often several people in a family have the condition, thus it is believed to be at least partly genetic. The disorder may be somewhat more common in women, but is often more severe in men. In some cases, it may be associated with migraine headache, other skin disorders, and certain eye disorders, including blepharitis and keretitis.

Any one of the following warning signs can be a signal to see a rosacea expert for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe:

• Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
• Small visible blood vessels on the face.
• Bumps or pimples on the face.
• Watery or irritated eyes.

Rosacea is aggravated by many factors, including sunlight, physical and mental stress, sinus and allergy conditions, hot liquids, spicy foods, extremes in temperature, alcohol (either topically applied or orally consumed) and stress (Drs. McKoewn, Wilkin, Wilkin, Wilkin). But it is important to note that what aggravates one person's rosacea may have no effect on another person's condition (Dr. Wilkin)

The following other conditions can have symptoms similar to rosacea:



Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent, but can also affect adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. While there is no permanent cure for acne, it is controllable.

Psoriasis causes the skin to become inflamed, while producing red, thickened areas with silvery scales. This persistent skin disease occurs most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. In some cases, psoriasis is so mild that people don't know they have it. At the opposite extreme, severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body.

Eczema is used to describe all kinds of red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, thickened, and itching skin conditions.

The word atopic describes a group of allergic or associated diseases that often affect several members of a family. These families may have allergies such as hay fever and asthma, but also have skin eruptions called Atopic Dermatitis. The disease can occur at any age, but is most common in infants to young adults.

Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis in infants occurs mainly on the face and scalp, although spots can appear elsewhere. In teens and young adults, the eruptions typically occur on the elbow bends and backs of the knees, ankles and wrists and on the face, neck and upper chest.

[Diane]

Acne or Rosacea?

Rosacea has been called 'adult acne' often. Sometimes rosacea is called 'acne rosacea.' However, technically acne is distinct from rosacea. While you may have acne and rosacea at the same time there is a distinct difference between the two. Acne is technically a condition while rosacea is a disease. Acne vulgaris is a disease different from rosacea. The International Rosacea Foundation has this to say about the subject:

"...Note: Pustules are NOT pimples. Pimples have a bacterial component to their makeup and are also mainly localized in and around the hair follicles....

...As the condition [rosacea] progresses, flushing becomes more persistent and noticeable. Small, red, solid bumps (called papules) and pus-filled pimples (called pustules) may appear on the skin. Because these appear similar to acne, rosacea is sometimes called acne rosacea or adult acne. However, unlike acne, there are no blackheads. Though rosacea is sometimes referred to as "adult acne," it is a distinctly different and often more serious condition than acne vulgaris, which most commonly occurs during adolescence. While both conditions can cause pimples, rosacea requires different therapy -- acne treatments can actually make it worse -- and rosacea rarely goes away by itself....

...The following other conditions can have symptoms similar to rosacea:

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent, but can also affect adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. While there is no permanent cure for acne, it is controllable...." source >

http://internationalrosaceafoundation.org/

[Diane]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=392 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=beautytitle colSpan=2>Getting the Red Out </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top rowSpan=2></TD><TD class=bodytext vAlign=top>Finacea, a new rosacea treatment, has proven effective in reducing redness

by Annie Stuart
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=600><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=bodytext>Rosacea plagues 14 million Americans with facial redness, bumps, pimples, and visible blood vessels, yet its cause and cure remain elusive. But for now, there's help for the symptoms.

In a trial of 251 rosacea sufferers, azelaic acid gel (Finacea) was the surprising upstart, outlasting the effectiveness of the current top treatment, metronidazole gel (MetroGel). Finacea continued to improve symptoms throughout the 15-week trial, while MetroGel plateaued after just 8 weeks, says researcher Boni Elewski, MD, of the University of Alabama. "It even reduced redness, a difficult symptom."

And the treatment caused no major side effects, and most of the patients who experienced a temporary stinging sensation from the gel found it easy to tolerate.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

It's nice to have a thread dedicated to this trying skin condtion! I would love to know products others have use to help keep there rosacea in check.
I have tried the Jan Marini line for cleansing and such so far. The papaya mask seems to work wonders on evening out my skin tone.
Any other tried and true products out there?
Moll

[Diane]

Hi Moll, I'm sorry I didn't respond to your post sooner but I didn't see it.

Yes it is. I'm hoping that more people will feel comfortable enough to come and chat with us. I'm using the Rosacea kit from Botanicalworks.com right now and I really like it. It has all natural ingredients, it's very gentle and my skin likes it.

But I still want to try the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Line because I've heard so many good things about it from the support group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support. Plus, Dr. Nase recommends it in his book Beating Rosacea: Vascular, Ocular and Acne Forms at http://www.drnase.com/. I've learned a lot from the group and Dr. Nase's book. Have you read it?

Toleraine isn't very expensive and many people have been able to tolerate it and have seen improvements. So, of course I have to try it. lol

Originally Posted by mollmarie

It's nice to have a thread dedicated to this trying skin condtion! I would love to know products others have use to help keep there rosacea in check.
I have tried the Jan Marini line for cleansing and such so far. The papaya mask seems to work wonders on evening out my skin tone.
Any other tried and true products out there?
Moll

I have not heard of the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Line, so please keep me updated. I had been 6 weeks into using the Jan Marini line and wham! a flare-up. My doc told me to try cetaphil cleansing lotion and moisturizer. In 3-4 days, my skin looked great. I am sticking with this routine for a while. No redness, bumps or anything! I would have never have thought something I could buy at my local walmart could be so effective. I also heard B. Kamins has a line especially for rosacea also. I am going to try that or Dr. Hauschka's cleansing milk in the future. I hear both are good products for sensitive skin. I seem to be heading to the drier side as of late, which is my doc said stay away from gels and use lotion or milk based products.
Do you use a foundations? I am looking for a new one since my powder is to dry for me now.
I am going to check at the group at yahoo. Sounds like you get some good info. there.
Thanks for the heads up!
Moll

[Diane]

Hi Moll, I've used Cetaphil and it did calm things down but did nothing for p&p's. But my Dermo gave me topical Clindamycin for them and it works great. My skin is more on the dry side right now too. Yes I'm using I'm using Illuminaire mineral liquid/cream foundation at http://www.illuminarecosmetics.com/. You could also check out Coverblend and Dermablend. I'd to try Dr. H's because of the natural ingredients but I seem to sensitive to them lately. Dr. Nase has asked Paula Begoun (Author of The Beauty Bible and Don't Go To The Cosmetic Counter without Me @ http://cosmetcicop.com/ ) to develop a skin care line specifically for Rosacea and she is working on it now. She has her own skin care and makeup lines as well. So, it should be interesting to see what she comes up with. You'll see them talking about it in that group.

TTYL
~Diane

Originally Posted by mollmarie

I have not heard of the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Line, so please keep me updated. I had been 6 weeks into using the Jan Marini line and wham! a flare-up. My doc told me to try cetaphil cleansing lotion and moisturizer. In 3-4 days, my skin looked great. I am sticking with this routine for a while. No redness, bumps or anything! I would have never have thought something I could buy at my local walmart could be so effective. I also heard B. Kamins has a line especially for rosacea also. I am going to try that or Dr. Hauschka's cleansing milk in the future. I hear both are good products for sensitive skin. I seem to be heading to the drier side as of late, which is my doc said stay away from gels and use lotion or milk based products.
Do you use a foundations? I am looking for a new one since my powder is to dry for me now.
I am going to check at the group at yahoo. Sounds like you get some good info. there.
Thanks for the heads up!
Moll

Well,
I think I may have early signs of Rosacea. My cheeks get very red and hot to the touch periodically during the day. I can conceal it with a light foundation, but if it is Rosacea I suppose I should see a dermatologist and get some professional advice.
I have been living in denial about this. I take a medication for Leukemia daily and it does a number on sommany of my systems that I blamed the flushing on the meds. After reading all the info I can find on Rosacea, I am starting to think I may have it.
I guess I will have to get me to yet another doctor!
Thanks for all the great info!

[Diane]

Hi Genie,

Welcome to Makeuptalk! I understand how you feel because I was in denial too. I kept saying, Oh, I must allergic to this product or that product until I started feeling the flushing. It felt like my face was on fire and my face looked like I got a bad sunburn. Then when to the doctor and when she said Rosacea I looked at her like yeah right! lol But I have since learned that it's not so bad and it is treatable. The early you treat it the better the outcome. Here's a few links to help you learn a little more about it and what you can do. If you have any questions or just want to chat PM me or post here..K

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rosacea-support/
http://www.rosaceaguide.ca/
http://www.drnase.com/
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/zp3400.asp?navbar=tr5971

Have a good day!
~Diane

Originally Posted by Genie100

Well,
I think I may have early signs of Rosacea. My cheeks get very red and hot to the touch periodically during the day. I can conceal it with a light foundation, but if it is Rosacea I suppose I should see a dermatologist and get some professional advice.
I have been living in denial about this. I take a medication for Leukemia daily and it does a number on sommany of my systems that I blamed the flushing on the meds. After reading all the info I can find on Rosacea, I am starting to think I may have it.
I guess I will have to get me to yet another doctor!
Thanks for all the great info!

Hi Diane,

Thanks so much for all the info. I appreciate it.. I have taken the first step out of denial. I have called my Doctor for an appointment. I see him on Thursday this week. I just want the flushing to stop. It gets so embarrassing and I can't really identify any triggers...it just comes on and I can feel the heat comeing from my cheeks and I know they are bright red without even looking in a mirror!

I ordered a sample kit of "Rosacea Care" skin care products. I had heard that they help reduce the redness. I do hope I have caught this in the early stages and that I can feel more normal soon!

Thanks again for the support....I appreciate.

Genie

[Diane]

Hi Genie, how did it go at the doctors today? Rosacea Care is a highly recommended skin care line for Rosacea. I know several people who are using is and are seeing good results. Their stronium <sp?> lotion is suppose to be really good. I haven't tried it so let me know how it works for you..K

Talk to you soon.
Diane

Hi Diane,

The doctor wants to run a test for lupus since he says that can cause the "butterfly rash" on the face. He wants to rule that out . He doesn't think that I have lupud but doesn't want to ignore anything.
He recommended a dermatolgist and in the meantime suggested that I use Cortaid 10. I picked up a tube and tried it yesterday and today. I don't see it making any difference really in the reddness.
Something that has helped.....I received my order of Bare Minerals SPF 15 foundation! I love it! It actually seemed to calm my skin as well as providing nice light coverage for the redness. I am very happy so far with that.
So...now I wait until My 17th to see the deramtologist and hopefully he can get the red out!!!
Will keep you posted!

Thanks,
Genie

Originally Posted by Diane

Hi Genie, how did it go at the doctors today? Rosacea Care is a highly recommended skin care line for Rosacea. I know several people who are using is and are seeing good results. Their stronium <SP?>lotion is suppose to be really good. I haven't tried it so let me know how it works for you..K

Talk to you soon.
Diane