I wrote this article to help you and provide useful information.

 

What is rosacea?

 

Rosacea is an inflammation of the skin the mostly affect the central portion of the face. It can resemble acne or reddish blotches, or reddening of the nose.

 

What causes rosacea?

 

The cause of rosacea is unknown, but light-skinned women aged 30 to 50 are more apt to have it.

 

What is the medical treatment for rosacea?

 

The medical treatment for rosacea is an antibiotic gel or lotion applied to the face. If that doesn't work, your health care practitioner may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Accutane may be prescribed, but it has many negative side effects and can cause severe birth defects if you take it while pregnant.

 

What aggravates rosacea?

 

Some things that can aggravate our rosacea...

 

*vasodilator drugs used to treat heart and blood vessel conditions

 

*steroid creams

 

*the sun

 

*extreme cold or heat

 

*dry skin

 

*facial products such as witch hazel or that contain alcohol

 

*many makeup products

 

*shaving lotions that burn or sting and shaving with a blade

 

*heavy exertion or high-intensity workouts

 

What self-care can you do to help?

 

*Eat a diet that emphasizes raw and lightly cooked vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables

 

*Drink 8 glasses of water a day

 

*Eat warm, not hot or cold, food

 

*Avoid animal fats and hydrogenated oils; they promote inflammation

 

*Avoid or limit alcohol, hot spicy foods (red pepper chillies, white and black pepper)

 

*Avoid fast foods, junk foods, refined sugars, additives and artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives

 

*Take a warm bath with and add a few drops of chamomile and/or lavender essential oil to reduce stress

 

*Use only a mild soap or cleanser and cool or lukewarm water on your face

 

*Avoid touching your face

 

*Moisturize daily

 

*Try yoga to stretch and relax

 

*Find a quiet spot, close your eyes and visualize a peaceful image

 

*Take a good-quality multivitamin and also a mineral supplement

 

*Eat a lot of fish; they contain essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation

 

*Take an additional stress vitamin (vitamin B and C) to promote healing and strengthen skin tissue

 

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care practitioner.

 

Sources and Resources:

 

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living, Zand, Spreen and LaValle, Avery Publishers.

 "Rosacea's Red Mask," Energy Times, June, 1998.

 "Rosacea: Health Tips for NPs and Their Patients."  Nurse Practitioner

 The National Rosacea Society, www.rosacea.org

Copyright 2006 Carolyn Chambers Clark

www.carolynchambersclark.com